(Canadian Press)

By Glynn Brothen

Trump’s Tariffs

‘We can’t take our foot off the gas pedal’: Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce responds after tariff delay

Feb 4, 2025 | 7:22 PM

PanWhile yesterday’s afternoon phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yielded a 30-day reprieve from a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian exports, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO says it’s no time to rest on laurels.

“We can’t take our foot off the gas pedal,” Prabha Ramaswamy said. “We are pleased to see a pause on the implementation of tariffs on Canadian goods. However, it still creates uncertainty and unpredictability for our businesses in Saskatchewan.”

Adding business owners are ‘left in the lurch’ and unsure of what’s to come, Ramaswamy said the tactic going forward needs to be a focus on long-term profitability and strengthening Canada’s economy.

The CEO and others are calling upon the country’s premiers to examine interprovincial trade barriers which hamper the flow of goods across Canada. Workers can also be restricted from taking a job outside of their home province, she said.

Examining a tariff of this magnitude is complex given the integration of both country’s economies. A blended supply chain with items snaking back and forth across the border is the product of trade-free decades. Dismantling this system comes with few blueprints, but one example commerce experts can draw upon is a previous tariff Trump implemented on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018

Trump’s Tariffs

'We can't take our foot off the gas pedal': Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce responds after tariff delay

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“I think [at that time] we were pretty focused on the trading relationship with the U.S. And we did not necessarily focus as much on our domestic economy,” Ramaswamy said.

“We’re talking about a very complex situation that requires a long term strategy.”

President Trump has suggested the purpose for the tariff threat is due to ongoing border issues with illegal immigration and drug trafficking. After he and the Prime Minister’s phone call yesterday, the Canadian Government committed further resources to strengthen border control.

Ramaswamy said while those are important issues, a tariff won’t solve the problem, but collaboration and conversation is the way forward.

“If I may provide a reality check: less than 1 per cent of fentanyl is going into the U.S. from Canada. Less than 1 per cent of illegal immigration is happening through Canada.” she said.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com