Premier Moe says relations with U.S.A. ‘more intense’ after meetings in D.C.

WASHINGTON — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says relations with the United States have been “a little more intense,” as he continues to push against the threat of tariffs.

Moe says even with heightened rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, he’s committed to making the relationship work long-term.

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He says maintaining free trade between Canada and the United States would allow both economies to remain strong.

He adds American consumers and farmers will see increased costs should the tariffs be applied to oil and gas and agricultural products.

Moe has been in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with U.S. lawmakers about the harms of proposed tariffs.

The premier took to social media platform X to discuss his time in D.C.

This week I have returned to Washington with Saskatchewan Industry leaders to continue our efforts in de-escalating the threat of potential tariffs from our largest trading partner, the United States.

We will continue to highlight the mutual benefits that our countries have when… pic.twitter.com/TdGZFB4eZt

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) February 27, 2025

When speaking with reporters, Moe said the impacts of tariffs will be felt immediately.

“As a midwestern farmer finds their way to the field to seed, 90 per cent of their potash comes from Saskatchewan,” he said. “We export about $15 billion of oil into places like Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas and other refineries there. Gas will go up at the pumps almost immediately.”

He said American families are going to pay more under these tariffs, and if the tariffs continue, all of North America will suffer.

“It’s going to make for a less competitive North American market, which doesn’t benefit us to live here,” Moe said.

“It benefits other countries in other areas of the world. And so the sooner we can get back to the stable trading environment that we have, the better off it is for us to live on this continent.”

Over the past few days in Washington, I have been reminding US lawmakers about the benefits of a strong trade relationship, but also warning them of the severe negative impacts of tariffs on the people their represent, like American farmers. pic.twitter.com/KWX5Dro1Cs

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) February 28, 2025

Trump is planning to impose tariffs on Canadian goods next week, a move that experts say would harm Canada’s economy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2025.

The Canadian Press