“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.”
“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.”
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.
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.”
