REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says U.S. President Donald Trump is "simply wrong" for imposing punishing tariffs on Canadian goods.
In a Tuesday statement, Moe said Americans are about to find out that Trump is wrong when he says the United States does not need Canadian products.
"American farmers need Canadian fuel and fertilizer to grow their crops," he said. "Trump's tariffs will drive up the cost of oil, potash and uranium, and that will drive up the cost of groceries for every American family."
Trump has hit Canada with tariffs of 25 per cent on all goods, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is fighting back by slapping the U.S. with 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30-billion worth of American products and would expand them to cover another $125 billion in 21 days.
Moe said Canada's countermeasures need to be "economically sound and reasoned" and that Saskatchewan is considering how it will respond. Cabinet is to meet Wednesday to consider its options.
"As we have always done, our government will continue working to expand trade to other countries and expand trade within Canada by reducing interprovincial barriers and promoting the construction of necessary infrastructure, like pipelines," said Moe.
Moe has faced calls to hit back on Trump's tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Moe should consider no longer selling potash, oil and uranium to the United States in favour of other markets.
"We need to make sure America feels the pain," he said.
Saskatchewan Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said Moe's Saskatchewan Party government should pull American liquor from stores, a move other provinces are making.
"Today is a hard day and it's one that we hoped wouldn't come," she told reporters. "But now that it's here, we must act.
"Families and businesses right across this province are scared right now. They deserve to know that their government and their leaders have their back and that they're doing everything possible to support them."
Saskatchewan exported $26-billion of goods to the U.S. in 2023, with potash and oil among its major exports. Agriculture products represent about 22 per cent of the province’s total exports to the U.S.
Moe has said tariffs would result in job losses in both countries and that Canadians would lose if the two countries become mired in a trade war.
Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said the tariffs are disappointing and create uncertainty in the sector.
He said commodity prices may fall, resulting in farmers getting less for their grain. On the flip side, costs for crop inputs — like fertilizers and machinery — are likely to go up.
While countermeasures will also hurt, Prybylski said they're necessary.
"We're hoping once consumers and producers on both sides of the border start feeling the effects of the tariffs that they'll be putting enough pressure on their elected officials to try and get a settlement sooner than later," he said.
Nutrien Ltd., the world's largest potash producer with its headquarters in Saskatoon, said in a statement it has been working with representatives in both countries to promote free trade.
More than 80 per cent of potash used by American farmers comes from Canada, it added.
"While we will continue to serve our U.S. customers, the cost of tariffs would ultimately be borne by U.S. farmers," the company said.
"In anticipation of tariffs, we've moved as much potash south of the border as possible ahead of the spring planting season.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
