Alec Salloum, Regina Leader-Post
As Saskatchewan continues to navigate a two-front tariff war, U.S. President Donald Trump says he has “terminated” all trade negotiations with Canada.
Premier Scott Moe was not available to comment on the matter Friday, but an emailed statement from the government said it was “deeply concerned that the United States has ceased trade negotiations with Canada.”
“We are calling on both the Canadian and American federal governments to get back to the negotiating table as soon as possible to resolve these trade disputes,” read the statement.
Trump’s pivot comes after an advertisement from the Ontario government was shown on American TV networks, pushing an anti-U. S. tariff message that utilized a speech from past president Ronald Reagan.
It prompted a lengthy social media post from Trump which concluded: “They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT.”
The ad ran during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. It’s also expected to run this weekend on the U.S. broadcast of the World Series featuring the Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, after speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told media on Friday that he will pause the ad — starting Monday.
All this is taking place as Carney makes his first official visit to Asia, which includes a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In addition to U.S. levies, Canada is currently facing 100 per cent tariffs on its export of canola, peas and pork to China. Meanwhile, the Canadian government continues to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said Friday that Canada should maintain its posture against tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and called for the province to bring back measures implemented earlier this year in response to U.S. tariffs. Those included procurement policy changes that favoured local vendors and removed American liquor from retailer shelves.
“Donald Trump is clearly a bully, and he showed that again last night,” Beck said Friday. “Bullies respond to strength. That’s what we need to show across provincial lines, across political lines in this country.”
Before pausing the ad, Ford responded to the fallout on social media.
“Canada and the United States are friends, neighbours and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together,” he wrote.
Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall also took to social media with harsh words for Ford, calling his threat to shut off power to eastern states “asinine.” He also stated: “Ford should understand that while these stunts might be good politics with the ‘elbows-up’ crowd in Ontario — they are worse than reckless in terms of our economy.
“Western Canada needs to distance itself from this nonsense.”
-with files from Stephanie Taylor and Christopher Nardi
