Canada eyes bold countermeasures against Trump's tariff threats
Options for responding to the tariffs on Canadian goods announced by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump were the topic of a special meeting on Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers of Canada's provinces. Halting oil exports was not ruled out.
Retaliatory actions were discussed at the meeting of the country's Prime Minister with the Council of the Federation, which includes the premiers of all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. Although the statement does not list the actions, it emphasizes that the premiers "are determined to collaborate on a wide range of measures aimed at a serious response to potential U.S. tariffs."
Trudeau wrote on platform X on Wednesday that no one wants to undermine the partnership between Canada and the U.S., "but we will be ready to respond firmly." Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on Tuesday that Canada "must be prepared to apply all necessary measures," including those concerning oil and gas exports.
Quebec Premier François Legault spoke after Wednesday's meeting about "retaliatory measures," including those affecting the export of energy carriers and electricity.
British Columbia Premier David Eby spoke on Tuesday about the possibility of halting the export of critical minerals to the U.S.
Smith rebellion
Regardless of political options, all premiers decided to act together on Wednesday. The only exception was Alberta's conservative Premier Danielle Smith.
At the end of the Prime Minister's press office statement, there's a note that Alberta's government did not agree to the joint statement. According to the "Calgary Herald", Smith instructed officials to prepare a plan to purchase the entire province's oil production so that the provincial government could sell oil to the U.S.
In this way, oil sales to the U.S. could not be subject to a potential export tax by the federal government.
Trump against Canadians
Ontario's conservative Premier Doug Ford, who has expressed support for Trump in the past, stated on Wednesday that Trump "is moving at full speed against Canadians", and Canadian politicians must act together. He also criticized Smith, emphasizing that "the country is the most important, the priority is Canada."
The discussions also covered defence spending in NATO countries. The statement emphasized that achieving 2% of GDP in spending by Canada on this goal must happen as soon as possible, and furthermore, "joint actions to protect the security and sovereignty of the Arctic" will be necessary.
Canada is a proud and sovereign country, determined to defend its values (…) We are determined to defend our borders - was written in the statement.
Gas, electricity, oil. The U.S. cannot dominate without Canadian energy
Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson met with American politicians on Wednesday in Washington, emphasizing that for the U.S. the best way to maintain economic superiority over China is to cooperate with Canada.
"The U.S. cannot dominate energy-wise without Canadian energy" - The Canadian Press agency quoted.
The amount of electricity imported from Canada is equivalent to powering six million homes; the U.S. buys 6.4 million cubic metres of oil from Canadian companies daily, and many American refineries process almost exclusively Canadian oil. Canada is also a supplier of natural gas.
The Prime Minister of Canada and the premiers of provinces and territories will meet weekly after Trump assumes the U.S. presidency.
A federal government meeting is scheduled for January 20 and 21.
