Effects of 25% steel, aluminum tariff unclear in Saskatchewan
Evraz operation in Regina one of 13 steel plants in the country
One expert says it's hard to quantify the potential effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to implement a 25 per cent tariff on all aluminum and steel products imported into the country.
Keith Willoughby, dean of the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan, said most of Canada's steel production is located in Ontario. However, any damage to the industry in that province could put Canada into a recession, and that could heavily impact Saskatchewan.
"Any type of impact we see again, even if it's predominantly focused in Eastern Canada, that will have a carryover impact here in our province in terms of our economic livelihood and well-being," Willoughby said.
Trump signed an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Monday evening.
In Saskatchewan, the direct effects of the tariff are hard to determine. Regina is home to one of 13 steel plants in Canada.
Evraz, the company that operates the plant in Regina, has yet to respond to a request for comment.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, about one-quarter of U.S. steel and iron imports in 2024 came from Canada.
United Steelworkers Local 5890, which represents workers at the Evraz facility, declined to discuss the tariff threat as they are in contract negotiations.
Willoughby said the news of a 25 per cent tariff on steel is a "deja-vu" moment as Trump implemented steel and aluminum tariffs in 2018, during his first administration.
The 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum were lifted in May 2019 after retaliatory tariffs were implemented by Canada.
Willoughby said it's hard to tell whether this round of tariffs will be dealt with in the same way.
"My concern with the current situation is President Trump's tariffs are much more broad and focused and because of the breadth of focus, we are in some very unprecedented territory," said Willoughby.
Willoughby also finds it hard to take the commentary from Trump seriously, as the president had initially said a 25 per cent tariff on all goods had been delayed by 30 days.
'This isn't how you treat your friends': Beck
Willoughby is not the only one frustrated with Trump's comments.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck slammed Trump during a news conference earlier on Monday afternoon.
Beck said there's "no doubt about it" that the tariffs will hurt Saskatchewan.
The leader of Saskatchewan's Official Opposition said she is also tired of Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state.
"This isn't how you treat your friends. We're not going to back away. We didn't pick this fight, but I would say, and I don't know how to say this more delicately, but this shit isn't funny," said Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck on Monday.
Beck has called for the provincial legislature to be recalled. She also said it's time for Ottawa to examine a "coast-to-coast" energy corridor.
That could include the construction of a pipeline or the development of further infrastructure like rail lines.
Beck also called for Ottawa to implement retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum.
The Official Opposition leader's comments are in sharp contrast with Premier Scott Moe's response to Trump.
"This is the president of the nation that is our largest and most important and allied trading partner. The priorities of our largest and most allied nation most certainly I think are shared by us," said Moe on Friday.
The Saskatchewan premier is in Washington, D.C., this week as part of a joint-mission by Canadian premiers and the Council of the Federation.
Moe will spend the trip making the case for the strong trade relationship between Canada and the U.S., and the role Saskatchewan plays in energy and food security across North America.
On Monday, speaking from D.C., Moe said he is not in favour of any response from Ottawa that includes a broad retaliatory regime.
"Tariffs are not helpful, whether President Trump is putting tariffs on aluminum and steel or whether the Canadian government in some way is counter-tariffing," Moe said.
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With files from CBC's Power and Politics