Manitoba premier says federal tariff retaliation is supported across the board

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks with media before a First Ministers Meeting at the National War Museum on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Ottawa. Kinew says he and other provincial leaders are backing the federal government's response to tariffs imposed by the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he and other provincial leaders are backing the federal government’s response to tariffs imposed by the United States.

Kinew says there was broad consensus in a virtual meeting Thursday with Prime Minister Mark Carney after Carney said Canada will hit back with matching tariffs on vehicles imported from the U.S.

Kinew says Canada’s response sends a message to Americans that this country won’t be pushed around while also carving out enough items to offer some protection to Canadian consumers and manufacturers.

Kinew says there are still concerns about U.S. tariffs, despite the fact Canada was not included on a list of countries announced by President Donald Trump this week for additional tariffs.

He says existing U.S. tariffs on steel and other goods will affect Manitoba, as will Chinese tariffs on items like canola and pork.

Kinew says Canada’s approach must involve countermeasures and dialogue with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders.

“We need to continue to send a message to Americans about the really harmful impacts that the Trump tariffs are going to have,” Kinew told reporters Thursday.

“We’re going to continue to make that case by having these retaliatory measures but we’re going to continue to lean into the relationships.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2025.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press