REGINA - Tariffs on Canada have been averted, at least for now.
Here is a rundown of the fast-moving developments of today regarding the trade war between the United States and Canada, and in particular President Donald Trump's order of 25 per cent tariffs that were set to be imposed on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 4.
News broke this afternoon that the tariffs will not come into effect tomorrow as planned, following talks between Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On social media, Trudeau confirmed that tariffs had been paused 30 days while both countries work together. Trudeau also confirmed Canada had agreed to $1.3 billion in border security measures to address the fentanyl issue.
His post reads as follows:
“I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.
“In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.
“Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together.”
Federal Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre issued this post on social media soon after, in response to the news:
"Like Canadians across the country, Conservatives are relieved to hear that there will be a one month pause on tariffs from the United States that would have hurt workers, families and businesses on both sides of the border.
"But this is not a time to sit back. We must urgently work to strengthen Canada’s economy and do everything we can to ensure these tariffs are never brought in.
"Liberals must recall Parliament NOW and put country over Party so that we can put Canada First."
The news came after President Trump announced earlier on Monday that tariffs were being paused for 30 days for Mexico, after their President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 Mexican armed forces at the Mexico-U.S. border to address the fentanyl issue.
The pause on tariffs comes after what was a rocky day on both the American and Canadian stock markets. The TSX ended the day having fallen over 291 points.
There was also further announcements earlier on Monday of actions by Canadian provinces in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs. On Monday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed his province had ripped up a $1 billion contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Upon the announcement of the pause in tariffs, Ford released a statement on social media where he said Ontario would suspend its own 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."
In Saskatoon on Monday morning, Premier Scott Moe addressed reporters about the tariffs. At the time he sounded cautiously optimistic about the breaking news that tariffs on Mexico had been paused for now.
At the news conference, Moe repeated his support for greater border security measures. Regarding the Mexico news, Moe said he would “urge and have urged already our federal government to engage in a similar conversation, and it might have a similar outcome for Canadian families."
In an appearance on CBC News following news of the pause, Moe called it "positive, albeit only for 30 days... it's a positive change, I think, for not just each and everyone of us as Canadians but all of us in North America."
Saskatchewan NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck had convened an emergency caucus meeting at the Legislature in response to the tariffs. Beck once again pledged support for a united response to the tariffs, and said NDP MLAs were ready to continue to do the work and reach out to their contacts on the issue.
In a statement Monday afternoon following news of the pause, Beck said the following:
“No one wins in a trade war. This pause in the implementation of tariffs is very welcome and we continue to advocate for our continued economic and security partnership with the United States. Our nations have always been stronger together...
"But we will not sit down or roll over to threats to Canadian livelihoods and sovereignty. Over the next 30 days, we’ll continue to work with partners and leaders on both sides of the border to ensure that we are telling the story of our mutual success when we work together."
