Regina
Saskatoon
General Inquiries
Good Business. Great Friends. Free Trade.
Saskatchewan is one of the most trade dependent provinces in one of the most trade dependent countries in the world. One in five jobs in Canada and as many as one in three jobs in this province are associated with exports, and the United States of America is our biggest customer – by far.
Through the original NAFTA agreement, Canada and the United States forged one the most successful economic partnerships the world has ever seen. In September 2018, the United States, Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement to replace NAFTA with a revised CUSMA agreement which included a mandatory review to take place in 2026. And now, following his election, Donald Trump has announced the potential implementation of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico.
Now, more than ever, we need to actively promote the advantages of trade and point out the dangers of protectionism.
To this end, STEP has relaunched “Trading Places”, a web-based program that encourages Saskatchewan exporters and non-exporting businesses to engage with their US customers, clients, and supply chain partners to promote the benefits of free trade and to encourage them to lobby their elected representatives to support free trade.
The Q&A is offered to provide some basic answers to some questions that you, your employees, or your customers may have regarding this complicated but important issue while the Fact Sheet and Quotable Quotes will help you develop key messages.
Check back often for updates and new material.
Importance of Free Trade & CUSMA
- Fact Sheet | Speech Notes
- Quotable Quotes
- Questions | Answers
- Total Saskatchewan Exports to the US by Product
- Saskatchewan Trade Balance with the US by State
- US Largest Import and Export Trading Partners by State
- USMCA at Four: Measuring Success, Addressing China, and Working Towards the 2026 Review
- About CUSMA – Government of Canada
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters – North American Trade SurveyPlease check back for results from the CM&E industry-driven survey from U.S, Mexican, and Canadian manufacturers.
Proposed U.S. Tariffs
Quotable Quotes
Provincial Government
November 26, 2024
“A 25% tariff proposed by President-elect Donald Trump would be harmful to our Saskatchewan export-based economy and will 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.”
Premier Scott Moe
Federal Government
December 9, 2024
“For years, Americans have been paying more for their homes than they should because of unjust tariffs on softwood lumber. Maybe this level of tariffs will actually have them realize that this is something they are doing to themselves.”
“Trump got elected on a commitment to make life better and more affordable for Americans, and I think people south of the border are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
November 28, 2024
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s released figures noting that U.S. GDP would shrink by 1.6% (or roughly USD $467 billion), costing Americans approximately $1,300 per person annually should they implement a 25% tariff on U.S. imports.
“Make no mistake, if Trump imposed these tariffs, it would represent a significant negative shock to the U.S. economy. It would raise costs for businesses, make American production less competitive internationally, and raise prices even more for consumers who’ve recently suffered through the pandemic and the highest inflation in generations.
Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
November 26, 2024
Being America’s “nice neighbour” won’t get us anywhere in this situation. President-elect Trump’s intention to impose 25% tariffs signals that the U.S.-Canada trade relationship is no longer about mutual benefit. To him, it’s about winners and losers—with Canada on the losing end.
We’re facing a significant shift in the relationship between long-standing allies. Canada’s signature approach needs to evolve: we must be prepared to take a couple of punches if we’re going to stake out our position. It’s time to trade “sorry” for “sorry, not sorry.”
Candace Laing, President & Chief Executive Officer – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Reports, Analysis, Op-Eds
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Partners in Prosperity: How the Canada-U.S. Trade Relationship goes Beyond Buying and Selling
What the Return of the “Tariff Man” Means for the Canadian and U.S. Economies
Canada West Foundation
What does Donald Trump truly want with his tariff threat?
Fraser Institute
Trump’s tariff threats and what to do about them
Trump’s plans should prompt Ottawa to reverse damaging policies aimed at oil and gas
C.D. Howe Institute
Here Comes the Trump Trade Hurricane
Preparing Organizations for changes in the Canada-US Relationship
