Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan is continuing to call for a "de-escalation" of the potential trade war with the United States.
Moe spoke to the media on Monday morning, saying he supported the federal government's first round of retaliatory tariffs. However, later in the day, the federal government was able to buy more time with a 30-day postponement.
However, Moe added that he would like Ottawa, along with all Canadian leaders, to move towards removing all tariffs instead of escalating the situation.
“We need to do everything that we can to engage and to de-escalate the talk of tariffs,” the premier said.
“Everything we do as leaders – political leaders, business leaders, community leaders – needs to be focused on the long term.”
Moe called potential American tariffs “very, very harmful,” and said a looming trade war would harm everyone in both nations through rising prices and job losses.
The premier pointed specifically to the agricultural, energy, retail and mining sectors as the areas expected to suffer during a trade dispute.
Over the weekend, Premier Scott Moe released a statement on social media in regard to the tariffs when Trump was still planning to move ahead with them.
The president is threatening 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico and 10 per cent tariffs on Canada’s energy resources.
In response, the federal government said will would impose targeted 25 per cent tariffs on $30 billion in products imported from the United States.
Moe said in his statement that Trump imposing tariffs “is disappointing and will damage both our countries’ economies, workers and consumers.”
He went on to say that he agrees that Canada needs strong and secure borders and that the U.S. has made it clear that that is a priority.
Moe called on the federal government to strengthen border security to specifically target fentanyl coming into Canada and the U.S.
He also called on the government to strengthen the criminal code to toughen drug offence penalties, specifically with fentanyl.
While other provinces have threatened other sanctions, including taking American liquor off the shelves,
While other provinces have announced additional sanctions, such as taking American alcohol off of liquor store shelves, Moe has not committed to any retaliatory measures in the tariffs move ahead.
- With files from 650 CKOM's Lara Forminoff