Washington ramps up retaliation with five new executive orders targeting Canadian exports, prompting fresh reaction from Premier Scott Moe. We also head to Regina for reaction from manufacturing leaders and federal officials, and hear former cabinet minister Ralph Goodale explain why Canada must stand its ground against American economic pressure.
Podcasts available now on GX94, Yorkton, or 620 CKRM, Regina, hosted by Steven Wilson.
Steven Wilson — Welcome to Trade Dispute Impact on the Prairies. I'm Steven Wilson.
The trade war between Canada and the United States has escalated dramatically just hours after Ottawa's reciprocal tariff on $28 billion worth of American goods officially took effect.
Late yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed five executive orders ordering fresh retaliation against Canada.
The new measures include an incoming ban on imports of Canadian alcoholic beverages, certain dairy products and motorcycles.
The President is also moving to block Canadian products from being awarded American government procurement contracts.
United States Trade Representative Jameson Greer defended the executive orders, calling them a natural consequence of Canada's decision to apply retaliatory tariffs against earlier 50 per cent American duties.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Ottawa is assessing the moves, reiterating that Canada will work constructively and in good faith whenever the White House is ready to engage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has cautioned that while pivoting away from the United States will cause pain, the alternative of capitulation would be far worse.
In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe released a statement reacting to the escalating measures.
Moe described Canada's counter tariffs as necessary to respond to unjustified actions from Washington, but warned that rising trade barriers increase costs for businesses and families on both sides of the border.
Moe stressed that while Saskatchewan will continue to open new international markets and defend its industries, the primary objective must remain getting back to the negotiating table to secure a fair agreement.
That desire for a return to free trade was on full display in Regina yesterday, where federal officials and local manufacturers gathered at Degelman Industries.
Federal Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger announced targeted federal support to help prairie manufacturers adapt to trade disruption, saying the government is taking its cue directly from local enterprise.
Buckley Belanger — So when we talk about building a resilient Canadian economy, we are getting the inspiration from the private sector and the folks that are here today, you know, receiving that recognition that they are expanding new markets, they're providing new services or some cases new technology and it fits really well with what we're trying to do as a Canadian government.
Steven Wilson — While federal funding programs aim to cushion the financial hit, manufacturers say constant tariff changes make long-term planning almost impossible.
Degelman Industries Chief Executive Officer Blair Flavel says the company is working hard to navigate the disruption, but says both federal governments need to lower the temperature and restore cross-border stability.
Degelman CEO Blair Flavel — Our goal is no tariffs, get back to free trade, CUSMA working well like it did and just get, I encourage both governments to get back to the bargaining table and get a deal that's going to work out.
Our focus of course is on our customers and on our employees.
Steven Wilson — Other agricultural equipment leaders echo that view.
Seedmaster Chief Executive Officer Allan Wiens noted at the scrum that farm customers are delaying major machinery investments because of the market instability, while warning that accepting a bad trade deal would be just as damaging as having no deal at all.
While prairie businesses navigate immediate supply chain headaches, veteran political observers warn that the standoff is unlikely to end quickly.
Longtime Regina Member of Parliament and former Federal Cabinet Minister Ralph Goodale spoke with John Cairns about the high-stakes confrontation.
Goodale says Ottawa had no choice but to push back against Washington's economic aggression.
Ralph Goodale — Well, it's not a happy situation.
This is not where we want to be in the midst of a trade war with the United States.
But it has to be noted that we did not start this trade war.
But now that we have been attacked, and more than once by the United States, we have to defend ourselves.
We have no choice.
If we were to just ignore the situation, Mr. Trump would go after more and more and more.
And I think we have to recognize that his goal here is not getting a good business deal between Canada and the United States.
His goal is annexation.
His goal is the subjugation of the Canadian economy.
So while we didn't start this trade war, we have to stand our ground and we cannot allow ourselves to become a vassal state.
Steven Wilson — Goodale says that while the goods directly targeted represent a modest share of overall trade so far, the potential for wider economic harm is substantial, making it critical for Canadian consumers and governments to rally around domestic producers.
We will continue to track provincial and national developments as the fallout from Washington's latest executive orders unfolds.
I'm Steven Wilson. Thank you for listening to Trade Dispute Impact on the Prairies.
