Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and premiers say governments would provide support for industries and businesses negatively impacted by U.S. tariffs. The first ministers also issued a joint statement that mentioned potential retaliatory measures, while Alberta refused to sign on, saying it doesn’t want energy exports to be cut.
“We know that in any response we give, some industries or some sectors might be more exposed or more affected than others,” Trudeau said at a press conference following a meeting with Canada’s premiers on Jan. 15.
“We’ve made the commitment to do everything we can, and I know everyone around the table has agreed too, that if their region is less impacted, they’ll do what they can to help out regions that are more impacted.”
The prime minister said the threat of tariffs from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump—who is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20—will impact all of Canada, and not just one region or industry. “We are all standing united in demonstrating that Canada speaks with a clear voice to defend the interests of Canadians,” he said.
Trudeau said since Ottawa and the provinces don’t know exactly what tariffs will be proposed, they could not say what they would do to retaliate. But the prime minister reiterated that “nothing’s off the table” when it comes to Canada’s response, and said the federal and provincial governments are in agreement on “the initial steps we are prepared to take.”
Trump has said he would impose a blanket 25 percent tariff on all Canadian imports unless Canada stops the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants through its border to the United States.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for Canadians to consider buying locally produced Canadian goods. “Start looking at ‘Made in Canada.’ If we get hit by a tariff and our costs go up, I’d rather pay a few more cents to go to a Canadian supplier, someone that’s producing right here in Canada,” he said.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew also encouraged Canadians to consider taking their vacations in Canada as opposed to the United States. “I hope that your Canadian pride also filters into your decisions about where to take your vacations this summer,” he said.
Joint Statement on Tariffs
The first ministers released a statement following the meeting, which said they discussed ways to “protect Canadian families, workers, and employers from the consequences of possible U.S. tariffs.” The premiers also discussed measures to prevent the tariffs from being put on, including the federal government’s $1.3 billion plan to boost border security in line with Trump’s request.
The federal government’s plan announced in December creates a new North American task force targeting organized crime and synthetic drug trafficking, as well as 24/7 border surveillance. Several provinces have also introduced their own measures to boost border security.
The statement said all parties agreed that all orders of government would continue bolstering security at the border.
The statement also said the premiers and the prime minister will work on providing support for sectors and individuals impacted by the potential tariffs.
It added that if the federal government were to put retaliatory measures on the United States, it would “ensure the rapid availability of substantial resources that effectively mitigate economic impacts to workers and businesses.”
“This includes, but is not limited to, the distribution of revenues from potential retaliatory tariffs as quickly as possible,” the statement read.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not sign on to the joint statement, saying she remains opposed to Ottawa cutting off energy supply to the United States as a potential retaliatory measure, and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy.
“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs,” she said.
During the press conference, Ford compared Alberta’s oil industry to Ontario’s auto-manufacturing industry, but said Canada as a whole should be the priority for all premiers.
“[Trump’s] coming full tilt at Canadians as a whole. And that’s one thing we have to understand. We need to be united,” he said.
Prior to the meeting, Ford wore a black baseball cap that read “Canada is not for sale.” Trump has floated using “economic force” to make Canada join the United States as the 51st state.
