Canada’s Premiers will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today to discuss a ‘team Canada approach’ to the incoming United States Donald Trump administration, particularly as it relates to some significant tariffs that could be imposed.

Trump has indicated via social media that he plans to introduce a 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico.

Premier Andrew Furey says he’S “very concerned” about the effects of those proposed tariffs, which he calls “incredibly punishing,” on industries in this province such as oil and gas, the fishery, lumber, and minerals.

Furey uses lumber as an example. He says “almost 100 per cent” of the province’s lumber exports go to the United States, and while the tariff will be collected at the border it will not stop there, and will ultimately be downloaded onto consumers in the United states. “So these tariffs, while they sound nice politically, end up hurting both sides of the Canada-US Border.”

Furey says the reasons Trump has given to justify the move are both “insulting” and “hurtful.”

He says there’s “no doubt” that there are issues on the border, and it can be patrolled better on both sides. But, Furey states that whether it’s illegal substances, immigrants, or firearms, this is an issue that needs a cross-border, non-partisan approach. “Simply screaming about a 25 per cent tariff does not justify, or help solve the problem that he is claiming is the premise of the issue.”