As Donald Trump prepares to formally take workplace along with his swearing in on Monday, his menace of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian items, in addition to feedback about making Canada the “51st state,” have sparked issues for some in Saskatchewan about what U.S. coverage will seem like below the incoming president.
“It’s an expansionist authorities,” stated Tom McIntosh, a politics and worldwide research professor on the College of Regina.
“The first focus at this second is on dominating their closest neighbours.”
Trump made the specter of tariffs in November, saying they’re going to be utilized to all imports from Canada and Mexico if the 2 international locations do not handle what he says is a circulation of medicine and migrants throughout the borders.
Saskatchewan farmers are bracing for the potential financial and political penalties if these threats change into actuality.
The tariffs may have a major influence on Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector, which exported $6.7 billion value of products to the U.S. in 2023, in line with the provincial authorities.
Garth Massie, a gross sales and advertising and marketing supervisor with Superior Farms Tools, stated that tariffs may have an effect on gross sales of farming tools made in Canada.
“Tariffs would make them costlier to construct and fewer worthwhile to promote,” Massie stated at the Western Canadian Crop Manufacturing Present, held in Saskatoon this week.
Blue Sky48:16Canada is dealing with a serious menace from the U.S. proper now, each politically and economically
Our nation has to resolve what its subsequent steps are. Host Leisha Grebinski explores what which may seem like with Tom McIntosh (College of Regina), Loleen Berdahl (Diefenbaker Canada Centre), and Jason Chicken (First Nations College of Canada).
Loleen Berdahl, the manager director of the Saskatchewan-based Johnson Shoyama Graduate College of Public Coverage, known as Trump’s financial strategy “financial warfare,” emphasizing the dangers of over-reliance on the U.S. market.
“The inspiration of our financial system is that this relationship [with the U.S.],” Berdahl stated. “It is not straightforward to abruptly retool and shift commerce to different companions just like the … [European Union] or Australia.”
The U of Regina’s McIntosh used related language to explain Trump’s proposed insurance policies.
“One of many companions within the North American settlement has determined to declare battle on the opposite two companions,” he stated.
Berdahl praised Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe for standing with most of Canada’s different premiers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to current a largely united entrance earlier this week.
In a communique signed by 12 of the premiers and Trudeau, the primary ministers stated they’ll do all they’ll to cease Trump from slapping tariffs on Canadian items.
A be aware appended to that doc acknowledged that “the federal government of Alberta didn’t approve the joint assertion,” with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s signature absent.
Trudeau calls out Smith for bailing on Canada’s tariff response plan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau known as out Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for refusing to signal a joint assertion on Canada’s tariff response. Smith says she opposes utilizing Alberta oil and fuel as a bargaining chip.
“Scott Moe has an excellent understanding that individuals in Saskatchewan really feel a powerful attachment to Canada,” Berdahl stated.
McIntosh says it will be important for Canada to reply to Trump’s return in unity.
“If Canada would not reply with a unified voice, the influence on our financial system and our lifestyle shall be extreme.”
