Relations with the United States have grown “a little more intense,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said on Thursday, following meetings in Washington DC about President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian products.
Moe, speaking outside the White House, said he spent the week urging lawmakers to reconsider proposed duties on Canadian oil, gas, and agricultural products.
Trump has threatened to impose the 25% tariffs next week, sparking concerns about disruptions to North American trade.
“It may remain a little more intense for a period into the future,” Moe told the media.
“But we’re committed to making the relationship work despite the current rhetoric.”
Moe stressed that continued free trade between Canada and the US helps both economies stay strong.
Moe compared the trade dispute to disagreements within a family, saying people may argue, but they should never lose sight of long-term goals.
“I don’t always get along with my family, I don’t always get along within our political party or even within our nation, and so there are times when you’re going to have discussions like this,” said Moe.
“It’s important for all of us as North Americans to keep our eye on the long game, getting back to that North American secure economy that we have had for so very long.”
Should tariffs take effect, Moe said American consumers will pay more for fuel and food.
Moe pointed out statistics showing 90% of potash used by UlS Midwestern farmers is shipped from Saskatchewan.
“Gas will blow up at the pumps almost immediately and so American families will pay more with these tariffs,” said Moe.
“Eventually I think if [tariffs] are on for any sustained period of time, all North Americans are going to pay more. It’s going to make for a less competitive North American market, which doesn’t benefit us that live here. It benefits other countries and other areas of the world.”
Moe said the focus now should be on resetting the trade relationship and preserving a secure North American economy for the future.