Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is currently in Norway attending the Offshore Northern Seas oil and gas conference, but his focus remains on addressing the provincial response to the Canada-U.S. trade conflict. In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Wakeham acknowledged the potential impact of tariffs on businesses, consumers, and supply chains, creating uncertainty in the region. Despite the province facing relatively lower direct consequences, it is not completely shielded from the effects.
Acknowledging the retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada against the United States, Wakeham praised Prime Minister Mark Carney for his leadership and affirmed the provincial government’s alignment with national efforts. The statement emphasized Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to supporting Canada in safeguarding economic interests and fostering a stable trading relationship with its largest partner.
Regarding the province’s specific actions, Wakeham mentioned reaching out to crucial industry partners that drive the local economy to closely monitor the trade repercussions. While the Government of Canada has implemented counter tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods effective from September 8, it has also introduced a $7.5 billion support package for workers and businesses.
In terms of response strategies, the premier stressed the necessity for ambitious and targeted measures to ensure adequate support for Newfoundland and Labrador in safeguarding jobs and communities. Meanwhile, opposition leaders in the province are urging the Progressive Conservatives to revive the “premier’s roundtable” on tariffs, originally convened under former premier Andrew Furey, to facilitate consultations with various stakeholders impacted by the trade dispute.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn emphasized the importance of inclusive consultations to address the local impact of the trade conflict and called for the involvement of non-profit organizations in decision-making processes. The provincial Liberals have urged Premier Wakeham to demonstrate proactive leadership by reinstating the roundtable to address the concerns of industries and workers affected by the ongoing trade tensions.
