Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has publicly told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that export taxes will not be used as retaliation if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump imposes a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports. He insists that “there are other ways.” We can make an impact. ”
“I’m making a public statement to the Prime Minister that if we ever consider imposing tariffs on Canadian production, it would be a betrayal of the people who work in our industry,” Moe said in an interview with CTV Question Period, which aired Sunday. I strongly urge them to do so,” he said. . “It’s a betrayal of the efforts of the Canadian team and a betrayal of Canadians.”
President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico on his first day in office unless they address the influx of illegal immigration and illegal drugs at the border.
As first reported, gloves and mail and bloombergthe federal government is considering introducing export taxes on key commodities such as oil, uranium and potash, but the move would be a last resort.
According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the United States is the province’s largest export market, bringing in $29.3 billion in 2022, with the three most common exports being crude oil, potash and canola oil. Saskatchewan is also the world’s largest producer of potash.
Asked by host Vassie Kapelos if Canada’s response needed to be commensurate with the threat posed by Trump, Mo said Canada’s response during Trump’s first term was “Precisely intensive tariffs.”
“No one wins when the Canadian government adopts policies that curtail Canadian production of essential goods and provide energy and food security,” Moe said. “Under no circumstances should the federal government consider imposing export tariffs.”
Asked again if publicly rejecting the export tax could give Trump an advantage, Moe said “no.”
“What we have to do is change the mindset of certain policy makers south of the border. Through engagement, yes, ultimately, if necessary, influence certain policy makers. “Through very selective and precise tariffs that we provide,” Mo said. “Regardless of what the next president does over a period of time, no one wins in a broad tariff war.”
In 2018, after President Trump imposed 25% tariffs, Canada imposed countervailing duties of 25% on a long list of U.S. steel and aluminum products, as well as U.S. products including coffee, prepared foods, and maple syrup. It has been announced that an additional tax of 10% will be imposed on miscellaneous goods. 10 percent for Canadian steel products and 10 percent for Canadian aluminum. The tariffs were finally lifted in 2019 after Canada, the United States and Mexico reached an agreement.
Moe wouldn’t say whether the federal government had privately informed him that the export tax would no longer apply, but acknowledged that Ottawa is working on its options. Prime Minister Trudeau said earlier this week that Canada would “respond” if President Trump follows through on his threats.
In a separate interview also aired on CTV Question Period on Sunday, former Finance Minister Bill Morneau said he would be “very cautious” about imposing export taxes.
“I think we need to work collaboratively with them and think about where we can make changes that align with our interests and not react too quickly to inflame tensions,” Morneau said. Ta.
Morneau, who was in power during the Trump administration’s first term, compared Canada’s initial experience to President Trump’s tariffs in 2018, when reciprocal tariffs were imposed, and now.
“At that stage, the Trump administration was in its re-election campaign, and they were actually concerned about how to present themselves to the American people in the next round,” Morneau said. “We’re not at the same time right now.”
Morneau said the incoming Trump administration “wants to make some important changes from their perspective, and what they’re proposing is their perspective. We need to work collaboratively with them.” I think so,” he added.
Asked directly if he thought Canada could avoid tariffs, Moe said, “I’m not saying tariffs are inevitable,” but “I hope they don’t happen.”
“We have to take them very seriously and there is a mandate that we have to do some work as a government of Canada, as a provincial or provincial government, leading up to that date on January 20th,” Moe said. said.
The full interview with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe can be viewed during Question Period on CTV and CTV News Channel this Sunday at 11pm/8pm.
