Saskatchewan Premier Optimistic About Canada-U.S. Trade Deal

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed optimism regarding a potential Canada-U.S. trade deal, calling U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to refrain from imposing 50% tariffs on Canadian goods a positive development for his province. Moe stated that such significant levies would have been detrimental to businesses and the overall economy.

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We need to have, in many ways, preferred market access to our largest trading partner.

Canada and the United States are currently engaged in negotiations for a new trade agreement. Moe hopes this forthcoming deal will lead to reduced tariffs on crucial Canadian exports, including steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. He pointed to a sawmill in Saskatchewan that recently suspended operations as an example of the negative impact existing tariffs have already had on the province's economy.

Moe also mentioned that Prime Minister Mark Carney has requested provinces to reinstate U.S. liquor on store shelves, a measure that does not affect Saskatchewan as it never implemented a ban. "We need to have, in many ways, preferred market access to our largest trading partner," Moe told reporters, expressing his belief that this is what Canada is working to achieve.

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I feel that is what we’re in the process of achieving.

However, Moe acknowledged that the trade relationship will not revert to the status quo that existed under the previous Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement. He stated, "Canada will have the strongest trade agreement of any country in the world with the United States of America. But we also need to understand that the status quo that we had two years ago was not possible."

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Canada will have the strongest trade agreement of any country in the world with the United States of America. But we also need to understand that the status quo that we had two years ago was not possible.