Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and his cabinet met with media Wednesday in Prince Albert to discuss Canada's new counter-tariffs on U.S. goods.
The briefing comes as a trade dispute between the two nations escalates, threatening the economic stability of agricultural and industrial hubs within Saskatchewan.
Canada is imposing these measures in response to U.S. Section 338 and Section 232 measures. The federal government will apply tariffs to more than 700 U.S. products [1]. These counter-tariff rates are set at 15%, 25%, and 50% [1].
The total value of affected imports is estimated at $27.6 billion [1]. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 [1].
Moe said the province supports the federal government's focused and targeted approach. He said the broader risks associated with the conflict remain.
"Donald Trump's tariffs will hurt Saskatchewan and Canada," Moe said.
The Premier's appearance in Prince Albert serves as a platform to address how the provincial economy will brace for the fallout. Saskatchewan relies heavily on cross-border trade, making it particularly vulnerable to shifts in U.S. trade policy, especially regarding raw materials and agricultural exports.
While the provincial government aligns with the federal strategy, the scale of the affected imports suggests a significant disruption to supply chains. The use of tiered tariff rates indicates a strategic attempt by Ottawa to pressure specific U.S. sectors without triggering a total collapse of trade relations.
“"Donald Trump's tariffs will hurt Saskatchewan and Canada."”
The escalation of trade tensions through counter-tariffs signals a shift toward aggressive economic diplomacy. For Saskatchewan, the risk is twofold: the province must navigate the immediate cost increases of imported U.S. goods while fearing retaliatory measures that could further restrict access to the U.S. market for its primary exports.
