Provincial premiers are voicing concern and calling for national unity after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a sweeping 35% tariff on Canadian goods. The measures are set to take effect August 1 unless Canada alters its domestic trade policies and curbs the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
The threat came in a direct letter from Trump to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday night. In it, Trump demanded that Canada dismantle protectionist trade systems—specifically the long-standing supply management regime—and take stronger action to prevent synthetic opioids from reaching the U.S. market.
Prime Minister Carney, who is currently on vacation, issued a late-night social media statement saying his government would “steadfastly” defend Canadian workers and businesses while continuing trade talks ahead of the revised August 1 deadline.
Meanwhile, premiers across the country weighed in on the escalating trade dispute.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized the need for unity in the face of external threats.
“In the face of President Trump’s latest threat, we need to come together,” Ford said in a statement. “I’ve asked and Prime Minister Carney has agreed to an in-person First Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday, July 22 in Huntsville ahead of the Council of the Federation meeting with Canada’s premiers.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith warned that retaliatory tariffs would further burden Canadians.
“They would also hurt Canadian and American businesses and workers,” Smith said. “The federal government must also immediately drop the Trudeau-era anti-resource development laws, and work at all haste to approve multiple pipelines, rail expansions and transmission lines.”
Smith called for diversification of export markets and said the country must become “an economically stronger and more independent” trading nation.
British Columbia Premier David Eby was more blunt in his criticism of the U.S. president’s letter.
“This letter is flailing and factually incorrect. Other F words come to mind,” Eby posted on social media. “Just one more reminder of why Canadians need to come together, British Columbians are leading the way on that work.”
In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe pointed to recent job figures as a sign of the province’s resilience in the face of tariffs.
“Saskatchewan’s strong and growing economy continues to create new jobs at a record pace, in spite of Chinese and U.S. tariffs,” Moe said. “Trump is going to continue his tariff threats, we need to react but not overreact.”
Trump’s letter also intensified criticism from national leaders.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the measures an “unjustified attack on Canada’s economy”.
Carney’s office confirmed that a federal cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss Canada-U.S. trade negotiations.