Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is currently in Norway for the Offshore Northern Seas oil and gas conference. However, his focus is also on addressing the impact of the Canada-U.S. trade war back home.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Wakeham acknowledged that tariffs would lead to increased costs for businesses and consumers, disrupt supply chains, and create uncertainty in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the province may face relatively less direct impact, it is not completely shielded from the effects.
As Canada implements retaliatory tariffs against the United States in response to U.S. trade actions, Wakeham commended Prime Minister Mark Carney for his leadership. He emphasized that the provincial government stands united with Team Canada to defend economic interests and maintain a stable trading relationship with the U.S.
Wakeham highlighted the importance of closely monitoring the trade actions’ impacts on Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy by engaging with key industry partners. Although specific names were not disclosed, the premier’s office mentioned communication with entities such as Mining Industry N.L. and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.
The Government of Canada has introduced counter tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods effective as of September 8, along with $7.5 billion in support for workers and businesses. Wakeham emphasized the necessity for ambitious and targeted response programs to safeguard jobs and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In response to the situation, opposition leaders in the province are urging the governing Progressive Conservatives to reinstate a “premier’s roundtable” on tariffs, which was established under former premier Andrew Furey. The roundtable included representatives from various sectors to provide input on the trade war’s impact.
The Newfoundland and Labrador NDP Leader, Jim Dinn, emphasized the importance of inclusive consultations with stakeholders to effectively address the trade dispute fallout. He particularly called for the involvement of non-profit organizations representing vulnerable groups in these discussions.
The provincial Liberals have urged Premier Wakeham to take proactive steps and revive the roundtable to reassure industries and workers of government support during the ongoing trade dispute.
Small business owners’ concerns were also raised by the Canadian Federation for Independent Business, emphasizing the need for accessible federal response programs tailored to assist smaller businesses. They highlighted potential challenges with current program criteria and the importance of ensuring inclusivity for all businesses affected by the tariffs.
Despite the complexity of the situation, stakeholders are urged to understand the implications of the new tariffs and countermeasures. Wakeham’s office confirmed ongoing communication with partners to assess early impacts and expressed readiness to engage with stakeholders in addressing the trade war challenges.