Premiers across Canada breathed a collective sigh of relief after President Donald Trump delayed 25% tariffs on Canadian products for a month after a final hour negotiation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which saw Ottawa agree to bolstered border defences and drug enforcement.
Canada’s one-month pause mirrors the reprieve Mexico received after the country made similar concessions to Trump.
Here’s how Canada’s premiers responded to the tariff reprieve:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
In line with her collaborative approach, Smith said she was pleased to see the two countries working together to address fentanyl trafficking and other illegal activities at the border.
Smith previously called for Canada to appoint a border czar. Trudeau confirmed that his deal with Trump would include appointing a “Fentanyl Czar.”
“The appointment of a Canadian fentanyl czar with authority to coordinate a massive joint effort with the United States to target fentanyl traffickers is something Alberta has been calling for since it became clear in our discussions with U.S. elected representatives and administration officials that this would be a critical part of reaching a deal to avoid tariffs,” said Smith.
Alberta’s premier said that diplomacy had won over a tit-for-tat trade conflict. To ensure this remains the case, she will return to Washington, D.C., next week with other premiers to continue diplomacy. She will return at the end of the month for the National Governors’ Association conference.
“I once again call on our federal government officials and my fellow premiers to de-escalate rhetoric, abandon any non-tariff measures for the time being, and turn our efforts entirely to advocacy and good-faith negotiation,” said Smith. “There are so many win-win solutions on trade and security between our two nations. Let us turn this crisis into an opportunity to find them for the benefit of Canadians and Americans.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe
Moe said he encouraged the Liberals to move quickly on their border security plan to show Trump that they are taking the issue seriously over the next 30 days.
Trudeau has pledged to implement Ottawa’s $1.3 billion border plan by reinforcing the border with new helicopters, technology, and personnel to stop the flow of fentanyl. He added that nearly 10,000 frontline personnel will be working on the border.
However, some Canadians have warned that some of the commitments made by Trudeau can’t be fulfilled without recalling Parliament or invoking the Emergencies Act.
Premier Moe commended his colleague Premier Smith for recommending a border czar, noting that Saskatchewan supported the appointment before it was announced.
“Fentanyl is not even a drug. It’s a poison that is in our communities, and we should be doing whatever it is we can to remove it from our nation and remove it from our continent as well, alongside the Americans,” said Moe.
He emphasized the importance of finding common ground with Canada’s largest trading partner and credited the Liberals for dodging the tariffs in the final hour.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Ford celebrated the tariffs being paused and said that the focus should be switched to the real trade war, which is with China and not between Canada and the United States.
He cancelled Ontario’s $100 million contract with Starlink and banned American companies from dealing with the provincial government.
The New Blue Party of Ontario threw shade at Ford for ripping up the Starlink contract that would have provided high-speed internet to 15,000 rural Ontarians. Ford immediately reversed the decision afterwards.
“With the U.S. pausing tariffs, Ontario will also pause our retaliatory measures. If President Trump proceeds with tariffs, we won’t hesitate to remove American products off LCBO shelves or ban American companies from provincial procurement,” said Ford.
He warned that the threat of tariffs remains and Trump will use the threat to get what he wants right now and a year from now when the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is renegotiated.
“A 30-day pause in tariffs offers more time for negotiations and more time for cooler heads to prevail. Instead of fighting each other, we need to work together to make Canada and the U.S. the richest, most successful, safest, most secure two countries on the planet,” said Ford.
Ford previously used the threat of tariffs as justification for triggering an early election, scheduled for Feb. 27.
“It may not happen Feb. 1 — I’m sure something’s coming — but this is going to be a battle for the next four years, and I want to make sure that I have a strong mandate to outlast President Trump,” said Ford.
Quebec Premier François Legault:
Legault welcomed the news of the month-long pause but warned that Canada should rethink its economy to reduce dependence on the United States. His retaliatory measures would also be suspended.
Quebec’s premier hosted a lengthy news conference in response to the tariff pause.
“Uncertainty remains, and that’s what’s so annoying about Mr. Trump: there’s always this sword hanging over our heads, and that’s not good for the economy,” Legault said in French. “If there’s one thing I learned when I was in business, it’s that something it’s better to have bad news than uncertainty.”
He said that business in Quebec is at a standstill because the worry caused by tariffs is halting investments in projects. The premier added that the now-stalled tariff threat should be used as a wake-up call for Canadians to realize that Canada has become far too reliant on its southern partner.
Legault said that Canadian provinces should break down interprovincial barriers and explore whether they could do more business with each other in lieu of the U.S. He also called for further exploration into trading with Europe.
He said that he would have implemented the same measures as Trudeau. Legault claimed that the tariffs being paused was a victory for Canada and that the country showed unity.
However, Legault reminded Canadians of Trump’s proposed two-phase tariff plan, with further tariffs set to be introduced in Apr. after he receives a study on the issue of tariffs.
“I’m not sure we’re out of the woods yet. So we’re not opening the champagne just yet,” said Legault.
While Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancelled his province’s $100 million contract with Starlink, Legault said he would be careful despite not liking the owner. He said the contract is binding and he is trying to avoid paying fees as a result of breaking it.
Legault also said that he does not support Energy East because there is “no social acceptability for this kind of project right now in Quebec.”
However, he said this could change in the future, and he was open to changing his stance if a public shift in sentiment occurred.
Other provincial responses
Several premiers announced retaliatory measures, later pausing them after the pause removed the need to retaliate.
While British Columbia Premier Eby initially presented a strong stance of pulling U.S. liquor off shelves and excluding U.S. products from government purchases, he announced that the measures would be paused.
“But, a bit skeptical that 29 days from now, we’re doing to be back exactly where we were,” said Eby.
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt similarly announced before the tariff pause that U.S. alcohol sales would be banned in the province and government contracts with U.S. companies would be halted.
Following the announcement of the one-month pause, she said that U.S. alcohol would remain on the shelves, but no new product would be purchased.
She echoed Smith’s excitement to go to Washington D.C., next week and advocate for the permanent removal of the tariffs.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also announced before the pause that his government would limit access to procurement for U.S. businesses while looking for chances to cancel existing contracts. He also announced that tolls would double and U.S. liquor would be removed.
Houston said that none of his retaliatory measures would take effect. He was one of the only premiers to thank the prime minister directly.
“We are stronger as a nation when we stand together,” said Houston. “I remain committed to Team Canada and to the people of Nova Scotia. We will be ready to respond if needed, but I believe that the strength of our longtime friendship with the United States will ultimately prevail. It has survived wars, recessions and pandemics – I believe it can also ultimately survive President Trump.”
Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King announced that his province has also paused the planned removal of U.S. liquor from stores.
“Prince Edward Island has long valued positive cross-border relationships, and I am hopeful this pause will allow us to find a fair and stable path forward,” said King.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey celebrated Trump pausing his “unfair and illegal tariffs on Canadian products going into the U.S.”
He said the province remains strong and united with the country for what might come.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was the sole provincial premier not to issue a response.
