Canada’s Premiers have agreed that ‘everything is on the table’ when it comes to protecting Canada’s economy from Donald Trumps proposed 25 per cent tariffs.
The premiers, Prime Minister, and various federal ministers gathered today for a First Minister’s Meeting regarding relations with the United States.
Following several hours of discussion, Premier of Yukon Ranj Pillai says a blueprint has been laid out detailing the role of each premier should tariffs be imposed.
“As things become elevated, if they do, depending on what happens on the 20th, we have a clear understanding of how we’ll work together and understand how each person’s tools they put on the table can interact or could affect other jurisdictions.”
Although the measures Canada chooses to take will not be announced until the fate of the country is known for certain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there is one thing he is certain of.
“No one region of the country should disproportionately bear the burden of standing up for all other Canadians. We have made it clear that everything is on the table as potential responses, but we’ve also been very, very clear that it has to be fair across the country.”
Potential responses include implementing export tariffs on oil, energy, and new vehicles.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not attend the press conference, and she has stated that she cannot support talks about putting a potential export tariff on oil and gas.
Donald Trump takes office January 20th, and his first orders of business aren’t anticipated to be implemented far behind.
Original:
As relations between Canada and the United States grow more uncertain leading up to the Trump Administration taking office, a First Minister’s meeting is being held today in Ottawa.
In attendance, either in-person or virtually, are all provincial and territorial premiers, the Prime Minister, as well as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, and Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America Kirsten Hillman.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says today’s meeting will have two main themes; the first one is creating opportunities for increased partnership with the U.S. He says one way to do this is through the supply of critical minerals.
“If they don’t get them from Canada, they’ll get them from China, and if they can’t get them from Canada or China, they don’t get them from anywhere. That is going to be a real issue for them, so there’s lots of opportunities for us to deepen that (partnership).”
Another opportunity for increased partnership lies in the energy sector.
“In 2023, the U.S. imported about $123 billion USD worth of energy into the U.S. It is an extraordinarily important relationship for them that powers their jobs, their industries, their homes. We need to continue that, and we can even do more.”
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc will also be presenting on opportunities for partnership regarding Canada’s border plan; touching on elements such as the fight against illegal drugs, immigration, and management of border security.
The second theme is Canada’s response plan for addressing possible 25 per cent tariffs.
Donald Trump is set to take office January 20th, 2025.
