Trump’s tariff threats are taken ‘very seriously,’ Akeeagok says
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and other premiers discuss Canada-U.S. relationship with Trudeau
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, seen in a file photo, says any tariff imposed by the United States would have a “huge impact” across Canada. Akeeagok, other premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say a united stance on Canada’s relationship with the U.S. will help the country brace for Donald Trump’s presidency. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian exports to the United States will affect the North, says Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok.
In a phone interview after meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau on the matter, Akeeagok said premiers are taking it “very seriously.”
“It’s really the top of the agenda because we know it’s going to have a huge impact right across [Canada],” Akeeagok said.
Wednesday’s virtual meeting with Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc was the second held between the premiers and prime minister since Trump threatened to impose a tariff on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico on “Day 1” of his administration.
“This tariff will remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Nov. 25.
Trump’s inauguration day is set for Jan. 20.
During the meeting, Trudeau and the premiers discussed the importance of taking a “Team Canada approach” toward the U.S. and considered actions to mitigate the “hardship” that would come from tariffs, according to the meeting recap from the Prime Minister’s office.
Akeeagok said his key concern, apart from illegal substances and immigration, was the importance of meeting and potentially exceeding the two per cent NATO spending commitment.
Trump has been critical of NATO members, including Canada, that have not lived up to their commitment to spend two per cent of their GDP on defence.
Akeeagok said that could help Canada’s North play “a key role” in a partnership with the U.S.
Wednesday’s meeting came shortly after Trump suggested Canada could become the 51st state and referred to Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada.
“He probably has a good sense of humour,” Akeeagok said, adding that for him it was a chance to reflect on his own Canadian identity.
He said that he feels lucky to be Inuk, Nunavummiut and a “proud Canadian.”
Akeeagok is scheduled to head to Toronto Dec. 15 for the 2024 Fall Meeting of Canada’s Premiers, where the discussions on the Canada-U.S. relationship are likely to continue, he said.
He’s got zero influence.
Less influence or input than that, big A
Ask PJ for the details of how a US import tariff of Canadian products will affect Nunavut.
What’s our biggest export? Iron ore and gold. What’s one of the largest imports in the US from us? Iron and gold…..
Why do people use names like “think” … then say things that demonstrate no thinking whatsoever?
So bafflng…
Think Harder.
Gold is only about 2.5% of Canada’s exports, even though Canada is the world’s 4th largest producer. The US is only like the 8th largest importer of gold in the world, only importing about 3% of the total imports of the 15 highest importers. Not to mention Canada also imported gold from the US while also exporting gold to the US. Don’t worry, there will be buyers.
Iron ore is barely over 1% of Canada’s exports, and the US only makes up less than 5% of that. Not to mention that Baffinland exports its iron ore to Germany, not the US. ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, and Salzgitter AG, all German, all have agreements with Baffinland.
Pajamas. I hope you bring your coloring books. As the real politicians are using big grown up words.
Imagine if Canadian Premiers had pushed Trudeau about illegals and drugs years ago instead of being all Yes men? Its not rocket science, all Canadians want the same thing as Trump. Stop the immigration and illegal drugs. Send them home and make them come here legally. Protect Canadians. Don’t dig your heels in and fight for illegals and fentanyl pushers.
Speak for yourself. A healthy majority of Canadians are horrified by Trump and his spreading insanity. The man’s brain is an empty jar with five fireflies pinging randomly off the walls briefly illuminating the illusion of thoughts. Its our misfortune that the few ideas he can consistently hold on to are also the worst ones for his country, and ours.
So you represent this comment to the best of your abilities.
“Don’t dig your heels in and fight for illegals and fentanyl pushers”
Oh look its one of the fireflies. Fentanyl is bad, and Trump is wrong. Two things can be true. The important point is that this tariff war is both going to make life harder for everyone, and not effectively deal with the problems that jar brain says he cares about.
Sounds like you gotta do the “YMCA” victory dance.
People on welfare and no ambition are going bonkers. “He’s expecting us to find job!!!! AHHHHHHGH!!!!”
PJ has influence over trump? any photo opp for that please
If You ever have lived up in Nunavut, You’d know how much we pay for essential everyday products, have to be flown in, which increases the price of goods, and thats just the beginning,
You Biased Southerners have no clue how much of a struggle it is living paycheck to paycheck.
Get the Liberals out of Power..
Some of us who moved up to Nunavut for a better life were well below the poverty line in a southern setting. If I can improve my life here what’s your excuse?
The prices in Nunavut grocery stores aren’t much more than rural prairie prices, but the wages are at least 2x what they make down south.
Distance Early Warning radars all across the north rhat NATO depend on… what if they had 25% maintenence and 75% graffiti….. or 25% Lockout on the sites…? Let the world see… Russian and others would know there is no pride in sovereignty in the North. Sad to say…. slowly assimilating the north…..
They are doing the right thing. Canada with its indigenous leaders, it’s alot like third world countries. Better to have Inuit safe from threats than putting tariffs is great move.
Arctic Cat and Polaris cannot make snowmobiles, ATVs and Off-road vehicles without Canadian aluminum. Arctic Cat already going bankrupt at just a hint of paying more for Canadian ore. American aviation industry cannot thrive without Canadian ore. American automobile industry cannot thrive without Canadian ore. Nunavut has all the best metals!
Notice the non-Inuit fearing, and thus degrading, PJ.
If you haven’t listened to him he’s one of the few politicians who have diplomatically stuck it to the feds. He knows the rest of the world needs Nunavut and has told them to build the houses first!
Trump is right we need to secure our border millions of illegals living in canada but trudeau is more worried about Taylor swift concert
Ok lets get this out of the way first, Trump is a moron.
If he adds the 25%, then we just add 30% charge to all exports to the US. It’s that simple, he has no clue what he is doing. How the US people voted him back in is the million dollar question.
How can you use “Trump” and “right” in the same sentence.
Aluminum, steel and modular construction are most vulnerable – a 25% tariff (tax) on our own refined (not raw) coming back to Canada will trickle down through all aspects of our economy – and will be felt painfully in construction and supply contracts. 70% of Canadian exports are to the US. We produce only half of the steel we use domestically and rely on the US for 25%. The US only uses 25% of the steel it produces. Canadian material shortages include lumber and concrete, not to mention the shortage of skilled labour (and increased labour cost). (Remember softwood lumber?). The weakening Canadian dollar is also not helpful. Good Bye 3,000 new homes. They are going to be too expensive to construct.
What kind of people elect a psychopathic, convict criminal with a track record causing an insurrection which injured and killed people. And is now appointing fellow criminals and clowns to lead the country. Better start practicing a goose tep March.
Trump will go broke if he moved to our beautiful land of nunavut. That is a fact…just another person like you and me but ppl failed to know that because he has a voice..