Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and NDP Leader Carla Beck are urging action to protect provincial industries amid an escalating tariff war with President Donald Trump, but their approaches highlight disagreements over trade strategy and pipeline development.
Moe, currently in Washington, D.C., with Canada’s premiers, warned that tariffs on steel and other exports threaten jobs and prices on both sides of the border.
“The Government of Saskatchewan has been in contact with Evraz Regina to discuss the potential effects of a tariff on Canadian steel exports to the United States,” said Saskatchewan government spokesperson Matthew Glover.
“Tariffs are the very reason Premier Scott Moe is in Washington D.C. this week, along with the other 12 Canadian premiers, advocating for our industries and reiterating the message that our economies are highly integrated and interdependent. We know tariffs will hurt all of us by driving up prices for people on both sides of the border.”
Moe stressed that expanding pipeline infrastructure remains critical to overcoming interprovincial trade barriers, calling it Canada’s “number one regulatory challenge.”
“Pipeline infrastructure is paramount. So is rail and port access,” said Moe, reaffirming his push to revive cross-country projects like the cancelled Energy East pipeline.
Moe dismissed opposition from provinces like Quebec.
“Quebec can’t refuse. The federal government makes the approval,” said Moe.
After U.S. meetings, Moe plans to discuss new trade agreements in Mexico.
Saskatchewan intends to focus on growing trade with India and Japan as alternatives to reduce reliance on the U.S., which was 55% of Saskatchewan’s exports in 2023.
"You're going to see other ministers, whether it be our minister of agriculture or minister of trade and export development in some of our key markets around the world,” said Moe.
In contrast, Beck demanded an emergency legislative session to address retaliatory measures and accelerate pipeline construction to Canada’s East Coast.
Beck called for tariffs on U.S. steel and reinvesting revenue into affected industries.
“It’s clearer than ever that Donald Trump only cares about Americans. He doesn’t care about what’s good for North America – he talked openly again yesterday about making Canada the fifty-first state,” said Beck.
“We’re not a state. We’re a nation. We’re Canada. And it’s clear that we cannot roll over to his every demand. Not when Canadian jobs and sovereignty are being threatened. Workers, producers, and families gathered at the dinner table are going to feel the negative impact of these tariffs.”
Beck’s push for an eastbound pipeline aligns with industry calls to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports while creating local jobs.
“My message to every Premier and the Prime Minister is – get this done,” said Beck.
“We need a pipeline running east. We have oil products coming in on our East Coast from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and the United States. That’s a reality, while we have world-class and landlocked products right here on the prairies.”
Saskatchewan’s trade diversification efforts have seen non-U.S. exports grow, but reliance on American markets remains high.
As tensions mount with the U.S., both leaders agree on the need to protect Saskatchewan’s economy.
“We have to fight back,” said Beck.
