Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his province plans to use all levers at its disposal — and approach the United States directly — to get action on proposed tariffs of 25 per cent.
Moe says the proposed tariffs will hurt Saskatchewan’s export-based economy and drive up prices on both sides of the border.
“The Saskatchewan government is talking to the incoming USA administration and working alongside Canada’s premiers and the federal government to ensure this does not happen,” Moe wrote Tuesday on social media.
A day earlier, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he plans to sign an executive order imposing the tariffs on all products coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.
He said the tariffs would remain in place until both countries stop people and drugs, in particular fentanyl, from illegally getting into the U.S.
Moe said he understands Trump’s position.
“As Canadians, we can all benefit from additional border security stopping the flow of illegal drugs and migrants across our borders,” he said in the post.
Speaking to CTV early Tuesday, Moe said his government would represent Saskatchewan interests alongside the federal government, fellow premiers "and on our own when necessary."
"We have a strong relationship with a number of the administration that President Trump has appointed," Moe said.
In 2023, Saskatchewan’s exports to the U.S. amounted to $26.9 billion after hitting an all-time high of $29.3 billion in 2022.
Saskatchewan's top exports include crude oil, potash and canola.
The federal government is taking steps to build consultation and consensus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has convened an emergency meeting for Wednesday with the country's premiers to discuss the tariffs.
On Monday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a social media post that the incoming Trump administration has "valid concerns related to illegal activities" at the border.
She called on the federal government to work with the Trump administration to resolve those issues to avoid "unnecessary" tariffs on Canadian exports.
Smith added the vast majority of Alberta's energy exports to the U.S. are "delivered through secure and safe pipelines," which "do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities."
The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner, with $188 billion in bilateral trade in 2023.
Last year, energy products accounted for more than 80 per cent of that trade, or approximately $134 billion.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.
— With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina
Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
