A United Front, With Fault Lines

Canadian premiers emerged Saturday projecting a united front behind Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States, but differences quickly surfaced over how aggressively to retaliate.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew described a strong sense of unity after a virtual meeting with premiers and the prime minister, throwing his government's support behind Canada's retaliatory measures. "All Canadians are united in the pride that we feel for our country, and the disappointment we feel for Donald Trump and his administration," Kinew said, adding that Trump is "not in touch" with the cost of living concerns of Americans.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who had been silent for days, broke his silence Saturday afternoon to applaud Carney's decision, saying Trump cannot be trusted. "President Trump is the type of person that would steal your lunch money the first day, he'd steal the toque off your head the second day, and the third day he'd steal your running shoes," Ford told reporters. He urged premiers to stick together as Team Canada, insisting "we can't have an outlier."

However, as The Globe and Mail reported, some divisions were already emerging among the so-called Team Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cautioned against retaliatory tariffs, warning that Canadian farmers could face 50 per cent higher costs for equipment. Smith said she understands the emotional appeal of hitting back, but stressed the practical consequences: "When retaliation happens, it means everybody who is buying products from the United States are now going to face upwards to 50 per cent tariffs." Her chief of staff, Rob Anderson, called countertariffs a "knee-jerk" reaction on social media, saying Canada should not "punch our own businesses, workers and consumers."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his government supports dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs but acknowledged all tariffs hurt businesses and jobs on both sides. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston cautioned that while "stick it to them" feels great in the moment, retaliation will have a massive impact on Nova Scotians.

What Triggered the Collapse

The tariffs and retaliation follow the collapse of negotiations late Friday night. Carney said he called off talks because the U.S. offered a "bad deal" with unacceptable terms. According to Carney, U.S. demands included restricting Canada's ability to strike trade deals with other partners, which he called a sovereignty "power play," and limiting protections for the French language and Quebec culture.

Global News reported that Carney outlined three issues that torpedoed the talks: progress on auto tariffs was undermined by the exclusion of medium and heavy vehicles, which would affect plants like Ford's in Oakville; U.S. efforts to restrict Canada's other trade deals; and French-language protections. A source with direct knowledge of the talks told Global News the U.S. could have cut steel and aluminum tariffs from 50 to 25 per cent and auto duties from 25 to 15 per cent, with softwood lumber also discussed.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer blamed Canada for declining to finalize a tentative agreement. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer criticized the Republican tariff wars, saying they hit Michiganders as a tax hike on groceries and gas.

The Tariffs and Canada's Response

President Donald Trump imposed new 50 per cent tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian exports on Saturday, targeting goods ranging from hockey sticks and honey to essential oils and dairy. Reports differ on the exact value, with some citing $28 billion and others about US$20 billion.

Carney pledged to match the tariffs dollar-for-dollar, with counter-levies targeting steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. The retaliation is set to take effect Sept. 8, the day after Labour Day, per a prime minister's office readout.

Carney framed the situation as war: "You are at war when you get attacked," he said. "We got attacked." When asked if Canada was in a trade war, he said yes, that is obvious.

Trump responded with a Truth Social post Sunday morning, reviving his 51st-state rhetoric: "Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!" He also claimed Canada had charged American farmers massive tariffs, punctuating with "No more!!! President DJT."

Provincial and Public Reactions

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said the new tariffs will affect $7.7 billion in goods from Quebec, making the province the most impacted since the trade war began. She announced programs for businesses and urged Quebecers to buy local. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt encouraged buying local, calling the tariff unjustified. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz said, "When you have the choice, buy local and buy Canadian."

B.C. Premier David Eby said Canada did not ask for this but will keep fighting as long as it takes, warning that accepting U.S. limits on other trade deals would reduce Canada to the economic equivalent of the 51st state. Eby also said Ottawa assured premiers it will streamline federal aid to small businesses.

The public mood was defiant. Edward Kawas, a software engineer from New Westminster, B.C., said he started dancing when he heard Carney's decision, and his household has avoided American products since Trump's re-election. "We offered everything and got nothing in return," he said.

Canadian fans in Vancouver and Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem at Major League Soccer matches on Saturday.

Industry and Labour Voices

The Canadian Steel Producers Association said Canada and the U.S. have enjoyed more than 30 years of fully integrated trade and that "no deal is better than a bad deal." Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said more than 3,000 people remain out of work due to the Stellantis Assembly Plant shutdown, which was to be retooled for Jeep production before the plan was paused in early 2025. Brown said he's glad negotiators are holding firm.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News that Canada "doesn't have a military" and is taking advantage of America.

Looking Ahead

Carney met with premiers via conference call Saturday to discuss retaliation and mitigation, with details expected in coming days. Alberta's Smith said her province has the least exposure—only about three per cent of its exports—and will not shift its booze policy, leaving it to consumer choice. Saskatchewan and Alberta remain the two provinces where U.S. liquor is widely available, drawing criticism from Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck, who called it "a mistake and act of cowardice" to have re-shelved it.

Carney's government has touted 20 trade deals since spring 2025, but U.S. terms may jeopardize recent agreements with Indonesia and the UAE, as well as talks with India, according to Global News.

As Saskatchewan prepares for industry roundtables this week, University of Regina economist Jason Childs offered a sober assessment: for Saskatchewan, this latest episode "doesn't change that much" because potash, oil, and uranium generally aren't tariff targets.