REGINA — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on Canada beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump said tariffs on all Canadian cars, trucks, automobile parts and steel would increase to 50 per cent on that date. He also accused Canada of ripping off the U.S. for years.
Trump wrote:
“Canada has been ripping off the United States for years. Their ridiculously high tariffs on our Farmers and farm products have made life impossible for these great American Patriots, and have long created a $60 billion deficit between our two countries. Not sustainable, and not anymore! On January First, 2027, tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automobile Parts and steel, will be increased to 50 per cent. Build in the US and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer! On trade and in other ways, they are also among the worst nations in the world to deal with. They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US! They do 95% of their business with the US, with us, the exact opposite! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J TRUMP.”
The latest post follows the breakdown of trade talks in Washington, D.C., late Friday night, ushering in U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent on a number of goods. That was followed by word from Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada would match the new U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar.
In a statement over the weekend, Premier Scott Moe said Prime Minister Carney “made the right decision to not accept an unfair and unreliable deal, and we support the Prime Minister’s decision to enact dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on targeted U.S. products.”
He also stated that tariffs drive up the cost of living for families, and “that’s why we should always be doing everything we can to avoid, reduce and remove tariffs. I believe the federal government did that. But in the end, the U.S. administration chose to stick with this failed economic policy, and Canada must respond accordingly … Saskatchewan supports Canada’s response.”
Meanwhile, the opposition New Democrats are again calling on the government to remove American alcohol from liquor store shelves. NDP MLAs repeated that call in Saskatoon on Monday morning.
“This is the time to fight back — starting with immediately removing American alcohol from Saskatchewan shelves,” Opposition Leader Carla Beck said in a statement. “It was both a mistake and act of cowardice to re-shelve it in the first place as Scott Moe did last year. At every turn this Premier has been the first and fastest to cave into Trump's demands — that’s gotten us nowhere.”
Sask Chamber reacts
Locally, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce issued a statement Monday saying it is “deeply concerned about the significant economic impact the latest U.S. tariffs will have on Saskatchewan businesses and workers. For some sectors, the consequences will be devastating.”
The chamber said it “supports the federal and provincial governments’ position that Canada made the right decision to stand firm. While these tariffs cause real hardship for affected Canadian businesses and workers, accepting untenable terms would have compromised Canada’s sovereignty and our freedom to negotiate independent trade relationships with other nations.”
The chamber added that it “stands in solidarity with affected Canadian businesses and calls on federal and provincial governments to provide robust support to affected sectors.” The chamber said it is committed to advocating for policies that diversify global trade partnerships and reduce interprovincial barriers.
Other reactions from premiers
Reaction has been pouring in from other premiers across the country. Over the weekend, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith voiced caution about the consequences of retaliatory tariffs. During a radio appearance, she warned that people buying products from the U.S. would face tariffs of up to 50 per cent, and she expressed particular concern about the impact on agricultural equipment.
Meanwhile, other premiers intensified their rhetoric. Reports Monday indicated Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. in response to the latest round of tariffs.
Ford's remarks drew another Truth Social post from President Trump on Monday. In that post he dismissed Premier Ford as the "less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother" of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. He also referred to Prime Minister Carney as "Governor Carney."
"Someone should get these clowns to 'fall in line', or, the consequences for Canada will be far WORSE!" Trump posted.
At a media availability in Regina, NDP MLA Jared Clarke was asked about Ford’s remarks and whether electricity to the U.S. should be cut off.
“Certainly we, again, we stand with Canadians in a united front against the tariffs that are being imposed by the Americans,” Clarke said. “One of the things that we’ve called for right now is for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to take American booze off of shelves in this province. And we’ll look at other options that are on the table as this trade war continues.”
