The federal government continues to tout its “Team Canada” approach while downplaying the differing opinions of prime ministers on how Canada should respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs.
“We should be careful not to confuse bizarre public comments with a clear desire to work with the Canadian government,” Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters Friday in Saint John, No. I think Canadians would be less tolerant if their politicians were not willing to work together in the national interest. ”
LeBlanc’s comments came a day after some provinces pushed back against comments by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. threaten to cut off his state’s energy supply If President Trump follows through with his tariff warning, it will affect the United States. President Trump has said he will impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries address the influx of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs at their borders.
Ford said Wednesday after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Ontario will “go as far as shutting off energy to Michigan, New York and Wisconsin” in retaliation.
Ford says Ontario sends energy, mostly electricity, to 1.5 million homes in Michigan, New York and Minnesota.
But the next day, Alberta Premier Daniel Smith, Quebec Premier François Legault, and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey opposed cutting off energy supplies to the United States in retaliation.
“Let me be clear from an Alberta perspective: Alberta will not agree to a moratorium on oil and gas exports under any circumstances,” Smith told reporters Thursday.
Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, Legault said, “I’m not going to threaten Donald to shut off the power,” while Fury said the state “has no interest in stopping the flow of oil and gas.” said.
Asked about the public disagreement on Friday, he said: Ford stood by his position. And he was “very clearly speaking for Ontario, and I still speak for Ontario. I’m not going to speak for the rest of this country.”
Ford also said he met with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday and said, “They completely understood where I was coming from.”
“My comment to both governors yesterday was that we want to sell you more energy. We definitely want to sign this contract,” Ford said.
And Ford said all prime ministers are united in the belief that securing the Canada-U.S. border and increasing defense spending are two ways to “make a deal with America” when it comes to President Trump’s tariff avoidance. He said that
“When it comes to NATO, it’s been clear that all the prime ministers believe we should get to 2%. So we’re all in agreement,” Ford said Friday. “We all agree that we need to strengthen our borders.”
The federal government is working on a border plan, which is expected to be announced within the next few days.
Freeland ‘confident’ Canada’s response to tariffs will be ‘effective’
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who heads the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations, told reporters on Friday that she was “confident” that Canada’s response to potential tariffs would be “effective.” “There is,” he said.
“The prime minister has made it clear that if the United States imposes unfair tariffs on Canada, we will respond,” Freeland said, adding, “Canada’s response will inevitably be strong.” Ta.
In his argument, Freeland pointed to Canada’s past experience with imposing tariffs during the Trump administration’s first term, which he said “led to great results.”
In 2018, President Trump sparked a nearly year-long trade war, imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian steel products and 10% tariffs on Canadian aluminum. In response, Canada announced countervailing duties of 25% on a long list of U.S. steel and aluminum products, as well as an additional 10% tax on U.S. miscellaneous goods including coffee, prepared foods, and maple syrup. did. These retaliatory tariffs were finally lifted in 2019 after Canada, the United States, and Mexico reached an agreement.
The federal government said it is currently compiling a list of possible retaliatory measures.
Freeland, who just met with Ford, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and British Columbia Premier David Eby, also said the province is “an essential part of Team Canada’s efforts.”
“For Canada’s response to be strong and effective, we need to come together, and that’s why we need to have a good ongoing dialogue with the premiers of our provinces and territories,” Freeland said. Ta. “The final response we come up with must be supported by the entire country.”
