Premier Scott Moe will depart for the U.S. on Sunday, and return on Feb. 16. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

By Gillian Massie - CKOM News

Politics

Premier Scott Moe travelling to Washington D.C. to argue against tariffs

Feb 8, 2025 | 10:08 AM

Premier Scott Moe is getting the chance to argue against tariffs on behalf of Saskatchewan, meeting with United States representatives in Washington D.C. next week.

All 13 leaders with the premiers’ Council of the Federation are taking part in a joint-mission amidst tariff threats, a week after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30-day pause.

“The goal for myself, and I believe for all other premiers, is to not have carve outs, is to have a non tariff environment,” Moe said in Regina on Friday.

“That’s how we work best together, that’s how we grow that North American economy, and that’s how we ultimately create wealth in this province.”

Saskatchewan exports products to 160 nations, with 55 per cent of its exports going to the United States, according to Moe.

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The premier said he will take time to make connections with business leaders in the U.S. and emphasize the role Saskatchewan has to play in the world’s food and energy security. He said any tariffs would jeopardize those benefits to the continent.

“We just need to approach this with a very steady hand,” Moe said.

He hopes to gain rapport ahead of the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

With Trump’s concerns of illegal migration and fentanyl moving across the Canada-U.S. border, Moe plans to make an emphasis on strong border security.

Moe and a few other council members will take off on Feb. 9, attend a conference in Washington D.C. on Feb. 12, and travel to Mexico on Feb. 13. The group will return on Feb. 16.

“What I’ve tried to do — to be not only efficient with the costs, but to be effective with the time that we’re there — is to add a couple of days on the front end to actually have a Saskatchewan portion of the mission,” he said.

While Moe is travelling to the U.S., he said breaking down interprovincial trade barriers is something he is hoping to see.

He wants to see the diversification of export markets, aligning trade regulations across the country, and removing as many exemptions as possible in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

The largest interprovincial trade barrier, in Moe’s opinion, is getting pipeline infrastructure across the country. He wants to see Canadians purchase Canadian oil without it having to pass through the United States and back into the country.

“I think is entirely become evident as being a hindrance for us in providing energy security, providing ultimately leaving us somewhat vulnerable,” he said.