Premier Scott Moe 'considering' response to tariffs as Sask. Opposition calls for legislative session

Premier Scott Moe says his government is "carefully considering" Saskatchewan's response to address tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump. 

In a statement issued mid-Tuesday afternoon, Moe said cabinet will meet on Wednesday "to consider all options." 

"Canada's response needs to be economically sound and reasoned. It should not result in the same kind of self-inflicted harm that Trump is imposing on his citizens," wrote Moe. 

The premier's comments contrast with Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck, who called for an emergency legislative session in response to the trade war. 

"I think that not only Scott Moe, but all of the MLAs, all of the ministers should be back in this legislature ready to provide assurances, ready to provide answers, ready to work with people in industry right across this province," said Beck.

Beck took to the steps of the provincial legislature in Regina on Tuesday to respond to Trump's decision to levy 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods.

She repeated a call she has made repeatedly since the start of 2025, stating that responding to the tariffs cannot wait until the legislature resumes on March 19.

"This is a moment, as I said, that we all hoped wouldn't come, but now that it's here, we have to be prepared to stand up for ourselves," Beck said. 

She also called for the province to remove U.S. liquor from store shelves. 

Beck and Moe agree that the tariffs will affect people on both sides of the 51st parallel. 

On Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for Moe to no longer sell potash, uranium and oil to the United States, saying Saskatchewan should find other markets.

In 2023, Saskatchewan exported $26 billion of goods to the U.S. Potash and oil are among its major exports while agricultural products represent about 22 per cent of the province's total exports to the United States. 

Moe has repeatedly highlighted that the United States is reliant on the potash mined in Saskatchewan. The mineral is a key part of fertilizers. 

WATCH | 'A bully being a big bully': People in Sask. react to U.S. tariffs: 

'A bully being a big bully': People in Sask. react to U.S. tariffs

4 hours ago

Duration 2:05

CBC Saskatchewan speaks to people in Saskatoon about their reaction to 25 per cent U.S. tariffs, how they're changing their own behaviour and what they think Canada's response should be.

Moe has previously said 90 per cent of the potash used in the U.S. comes from Saskatchewan and has held meetings with politicians from states where agriculture is a major sector. 

"Without potash down there, [the United States] doesn't have a farming system. When it comes to uranium, they're using that to enrich their uranium down in the U.S. for their nuclear energy," said Ford on Tuesday.

"Everyone wants [Moe's] uranium, but ship it out to other places."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that Trump is trying to create "a total collapse of the Canadian economy" because it will "make it easier to annex us," something the U.S. president has repeatedly said he wants to do.

Trudeau has already placed tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods and promised additional levies in three weeks time on another $125 billion.

More non-tariff measures are slated if Trump doesn't back down immediately, Trudeau said.