Saying Canada has been placed in a “challenging position” by the United States’ decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, Premier Tony Wakeham has issued a statement to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador in light of the escalating trade war with the U.S.
The federal government yesterday announced a range of supports for Canadians, and its plans to impose counter tariffs on American goods including a 50 per cent tariff on American clothes, and U.S. steel and aluminum.
A 25 per cent tariff will be applied to American appliances, dairy products, seafood and certain steel and aluminum derivatives.
The premier says the tariffs amount to an economic attack that threatens key industries, increases costs and creates uncertainty for workers and business.
Wakeham says those measures have real consequences for Canadian families, businesses and communities that rely on cross-border trade.
The premier says he’s reached out to key industry partners to track the impacts of Canada’s response to the trade war and ensure that the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador, workers, businesses and communities are protected.
Wakeham says the supports announced by the federal government yesterday will help affected workers, and the province will be reviewing the measures in detail to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador receives the support it needs to protect jobs and communities.
Full Statement from Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States continues to create uncertainty for workers, businesses and communities across our country, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
I have said many times before that tariffs on this scale are harmful to citizens and businesses on both sides of the border. The long-standing economic partnership between Canada and the United States has delivered prosperity, supported jobs, strengthened supply chains and helped build economic growth in both countries. Policies that undermine that relationship ultimately hurt everyone involved.
Canada has been placed in a challenging position by the United States’ decision to impose tariffs, an economic attack that threatens key industries, increases costs and creates uncertainty for workers and businesses. The decision by the United States to implement these measures has real consequences for Canadian families, businesses and communities that rely on integrated cross-border trade.
My unwavering priority is protecting the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador, standing up for our workers, supporting our businesses and safeguarding the economic well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the face of ongoing trade uncertainty. I am actively engaged with the Federal Government, as well as provincial and territorial leaders, as we navigate this difficult situation together. Again, I want to thank Prime Minister Carney and his team for their leadership on this file.
Tariffs increase costs for businesses and consumers, disrupt integrated North American supply chains, and create uncertainty for workers and investors. These tariffs will have real economic consequences, increasing costs for businesses, putting jobs at risk and driving up the price of goods for everyone.
I have reached out to our key industry partners that drive the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, and we will closely track the impacts of Canada’s response to the United States’ trade attack to ensure the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador, workers, businesses and communities are protected.
Canada’s response programs must be ambitious, targeted and responsive to the challenges ahead. These tariffs will have real consequences for workers, businesses and families, increasing costs and creating economic uncertainty. The supports announced today will help affected workers, and we will be reviewing the measures in detail to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador receives the support it needs to protect jobs and communities.
At a time of uncertainty, Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to stand with Team Canada as we defend our economic interests and advocate for a stable and constructive trading relationship with our closest neighbour and largest trading partner.”
