Canada’s leaders appear as united front against U.S. tariff threats

Only Alberta’s premier refused to sign joint statement

Canada’s premiers, including Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok at far left, meet in Ottawa on Jan. 15 prior to their mission to Washington, D.C. in February to confer with Trump administration officials over plans to levy a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods imported to the U.S. (Photo by Nehaa Bimal)

By Nehaa Bimal

Most of Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to present a united front Wednesday following their high-stakes meeting to address president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian products the U.S. imports.

Trump’s inauguration is set for Monday. During the election campaign, he threatened to slap tariffs on imports from several countries, and on Nov. 25 singled out Canada for 25 per cent tariffs.

The premiers and Trudeau huddled Wednesday to discuss the tariff threat and plan a response. The meeting, held in the former Ottawa city hall, included discussions on trade, energy, and sovereignty.

However, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s refusal to back the joint statement signed by the other 12 premiers and Trudeau underscored the challenge of achieving a “Team Canada” consensus.

“Everyone has a job that is defending the interests of their own constituents, their own industries, as well as standing up for the national interest,” said Trudeau.

“But being able to come together on a consensus that has largely been supported, as you have seen, is a good thing.”

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok did not speak during the media conference that followed the meeting between Trudeau and the premiers.

Akeeagok nodded in agreement and mouthed “well-said” to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s statements that Canadian pride will lead people to better invest in the country.

The leaders discussed strategies to mitigate the impact of potential U.S. tariffs, including targeted retaliatory measures and support for affected industries.

Quebec Premier François Legault pointed to his province’s export of electricity to several U.S. states as a potential leverage point.

“If President Trump implements tariffs, nothing is off the table,” he said.

Although Legault said he would respond to tariffs using what he described as “retaliation measures,” he did not specify what actions he might take.

Trudeau said leaders agreed to mitigate economic harm by ensuring less-affected provinces will support those hit hardest.

“No one region of the country should disproportionately bear the burden,” he said.

Although it was not brought up during the press conference, a statement from the first ministers on the Canada-United States relationship, released by the Prime Minister’s Office, reaffirmed commitments to “safeguard Arctic security and sovereignty.”

However, Alberta’s premier voiced strong opposition to federal proposals involving export tariffs or cutting energy supplies to the U.S. Alberta is a major exporter of oil.

“Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products,” Smith wrote in a post on X after attending the premiers’ meeting virtually.

She said Alberta will take necessary actions to protect its economy from federal policies she described as destructive.

In the joint statement, Canada’s plans to meet its target of spending two per cent of the country’s gross domestic product on national defence were highlighted, along with “working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples toward economic reconciliation.”

The first ministers agreed to move forward with major projects that have a big impact on the economy in areas like transportation and infrastructure.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford — who heads the Council of the Federation, which is composed of all 13 premiers and promotes co-operation and closer ties between provinces — emphasized the importance of supplying the U.S. with more energy, critical minerals, and other essential goods to promote shared economic growth.

He voiced strong support for increasing exports of energy, electricity, and nickel to the U.S. — but stressed that such co-operation must come without attacks on Canada.

In their joint statement, the premiers and Trudeau also committed to meeting weekly following Trump’s inauguration.

Akeeagok will join his fellow premiers on a trip to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12 to meet with representatives of Trump’s administration, members of Congress and business leaders.

 

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(10) Comments:

  1. Posted by The problem is you on

    Step aside, Justin. You’re incompetence, your empty platitudes, your promises forgotten and ignored have caused enough damage and nothing will be rectified with the incoming US administration until you are gone.

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    • Posted by Soothsayer on

      I really don’t know how so many people can’t see this. There is an element of the ‘personal’ in all this that makes Trudeau a liability, not an asset.

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    • Posted by Forever amazed on

      And you would know because? Or is it like recognizes like?

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    • Posted by Let this sink in on

      Danielle Smith impressed Trump enough that ‘day one’ tariffs on Canada have been postponed… she did that, not Trudeau, not any of your clapping seals at the above table.

  2. Posted by Flabbergasted on

    Nunavut is and will continue to be the most ecpensive territory in north america to live in. 10 bucks a gallon of gas os normal

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    • Posted by To flabergasted on

      You may not realize it but you used the wrong example of high prices. Fuel in Nu is one of the cheapest oftentimes because of GN bulk purchases. Not also heating fuel is free to all PH and electricity is equivalent to Gst tax.

  3. Posted by Applause on

    Good for Danielle Smith, standing ground in the best interests of her province, ignoring the disapprobation of those players who would leverage Alberta’s wealth to advance their interests at no cost to themselves.

    That is real leadership.

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    • Posted by Northern Guy on

      Hey Applause, you (and Danielle Smith) clearly don’t know this but Alberta HAS ABSOLUTELY NO SAY as to what products, goods and services the Government of Canada decides require export tariffs. That means that despite all of Smith’s public bluster if Canada decides that it is in its national interest to impose a tariff on Alberta’s oil exports to the US they can do that. Too bad so sad

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      • Posted by No Moniker on

        This kind of meat head attitude is exactly what erodes national unity. Of course you probably think powering though and bullying the provinces is an easy win. In the long run, however, your victory will be pyrrhic and cost much more than you think you’ve gained by it.

        Anyone with a shred intelligence can see this.

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