Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has warned the 25 percent tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens to harm Canada's food and energy sectors and be “catastrophic” for economic stability and security on both sides of the border.
“We've dealt with it in the past, and we need to approach it the same way now — working with the incoming Trump administration to address their concerns while making sure that these tariffs, if they come, are short-lived,” Moe said. host David Cochrane said in a Friday interview with CBC Power and politics.
Moe specifically dismissed the idea of retaliatory export tariffs, a countermeasure some have issued in response to U.S. tariff threats. He argued that such a move would harm Canadian producers and create broader economic barriers.
“I will ask the Prime Minister for an assurance that these export tariffs are not just pending, nor should they be,” he said.
Last month, Trump said after taking office in January that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, unless those countries stop the flow of drugs and immigrants across their borders.
Canadian premiers participated in a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week to discuss the Canadian response to the incoming U.S. administration's demands.
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Power & Politics host David Cochrane asked Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe if there was unity among the premiers calling for a federal election in the face of Donald Trump's tariff threat.
After that meeting, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province could cut energy supplies to the U.S. if Trump made good on the tariff threat.
Saskatchewan is a major exporter of agricultural products, energy and minerals, all of which could face significant disruption if retaliatory tariffs are imposed, Moe said.
“Let's cut taxes, not raise them. Punishing Canadians who work in these industries is not what we're asking for,” he said.
“It's not just about economic growth. It's about maintaining our relationship with our biggest trading partner and ensuring global stability. A wrong move here could have consequences for years.”
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University of Saskatchewan economist Joel Bruneau echoed Moe's concerns, saying tariffs on Canadian exports like potash, oil or agricultural products would disproportionately hurt Saskatchewan's economy.
“Export tariffs will not only hurt producers but will lead to higher costs for consumers in both Canada and the United States,” Bruneau said. “Retaliatory measures will increase tensions and introduce long-term inefficiencies into the global trading system.”
Brunau noted that Saskatchewan's economy is heavily dependent on exports, particularly to the U.S., its largest trading partner.
“Anything that disrupts that trade relationship, even temporarily, risks significant job losses and a decline in provincial revenues,” he said.
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Moe also emphasized the broader consequences of the tariffs, framing them as a threat not just to Canada, but to global food and energy security.
“Broad-based tariff wars neither benefit Americans nor Canadians. They benefit unrelated nations in other parts of the world,” Moe said, referring to countries like China and Russia that could undermine North American trade relations.
Brunau also said that any trade disruption would ripple through international markets.
“If Saskatchewan's agricultural exports are banned, global food prices could rise, affecting vulnerable populations worldwide,” he said. “Similarly, restrictions on energy exports could increase costs for major allies.”
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Moe said Canada's provinces need to show a united front.
“There is a lot of unity in terms of the efforts we need to secure our borders. All the premiers agree,” Moe said, referring to leaders like Alberta Premier Daniel Smith and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinnew, both of whom have introduced border security plans. After Trump's threats.
Addressing U.S. concerns about border security after Trump takes office could strengthen Canada's negotiating position, Moe said.
“If it's a concern for the incoming president, it's a concern for us,” he said. “We must take the opportunity to secure the borders on behalf of Canadians — not just to meet American concerns, but to address issues like drugs and illegal immigration.”
Bruneau agreed that Canada could benefit from trade discussions.
“A cooperative approach to border security signals goodwill and can help ease trade tensions,” he said.
But Moe wants the federal government to address the threat of U.S. tariffs, and suggested Canada's bargaining position would be strengthened if an election was called to give the government — whichever party wins — a new mandate.
“Donald Trump has a strong mandate,” he said, after last month's US election. “We have no such mandate bargaining from a Canadian position, and I think we should. … So I think it's time for a federal election.”
But the priority remains ensuring stable and open trade with the US, Moe said.
“It's not about Canada versus America,” he said. “It's about working together to ensure food, energy and product security for both nations and our allies around the world.”
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