Home Business & Economy Tariffs & Trade Pushback takes hold against threat of US tariffs

Pushback takes hold against threat of US tariffs

Canadians and their government leaders are turning the economic ship away from dependence on the United States

canada flag, sooke, july 1
Canada Day flag enabled by a reasonable breeze on Canada Day in Sooke on July 1, 2024. [Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]
CANADA-USA NEWS & ANALYSIS

Wednesday February 5, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC [Last update 10:55 am]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will today hold another virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers. This is now a weekly practice given the threat of tariffs by the United States.

A Canada-US summit will be held in Toronto this Friday, February 7, it was announced this morning by the prime minister.

All Premiers across Canada — each in their own way to protect the interests of their jurisdictions — have been supportive of the Team Canada approach regarding protection of this country against the threat of tariffs by the United States.

canada's premiers, council of the federation, Dec 16 2024
Canada’s Premiers at their Council of the Federation meeting in Toronto on Dec 16, 2024. [COF]

The topic of inter-provincial trade will be consistent as things move forward. Breaking down trade barriers between provinces is about making Canada less vulnerable to depending on the US as a consistent trade partners.

Many regulations (technical and regulatory) have been set up over the years to prevent inter-provincial trade but this protectionist approach has reduced competition and innovation.

Tariff trends this week:

Tariffs were to be imposed by the US on products shipped from Canada into the US was to have taken effect at 12:01 am February 4, 2025. But that was suspended on the day before following two conversations — just a few hours apart — between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump.

ist header, langford, tariffs

Meanwhile, jurisdictions across the country are beginning to make rather spontaneous commitments to Canada-first procurement and to begin shifting whatever processes they can toward self-reliance or at least less dependence on business with the United States going forward.

Locally that includes the City of Langford and the District of Saanich, following in the footsteps of the Province led by Premier David Eby who is steadfast in turning British Columbia in new economic directions as quickly as possible.

distrsict of ssanich, tariffs
District of Saanich council approved a tariff resilience motion on Feb 3, 2025. [X]

People across the country seem to have suddenly found themselves in camaraderie with fellow Canadians in adopting a “Canada-first” stance when making retail and household purchases.

Mostly this is seen as making Canada-first retail choices but it also indicates a shift in mentality that will support a growing sense of being distinctly Canadian instead of always comparing to or deferring to a perceived dominance of the American way.

Jobs, small business and infrastructure projects would be impacted by any tariffs that may come after the stated 30-day reprieve that Trump indicated on February 3.

ist main, langford
Political & economic news analysis at IslandSocialTrends.ca .

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