Nova Scotia’s premier had some strong words for the American president after sweeping tariffs came into effect Tuesday.
“Donald Trump is a short-sighted man who wields his power just for the sake of it, not having any consideration for the destructive impact of his decisions on both Canadians and Americans,” Premier Tim Houston said in a statement.
Houston went on to say that “it is impossible to properly describe the uncertainty and chaos” the tariffs have caused Canadians.
As of Tuesday, a sweeping 25 per cent tariff has been imposed on all goods going into the United States from both Canada and Mexico, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canada’s energy exports.
In response, Canada has hit back with an initial 25 per cent tariff on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with additional tariffs on another $125 billion in American goods to come three weeks later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
Houston said Nova Scotia will also respond immediately by limiting access to provincial procurement for American businesses.
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American businesses will no longer be able to bid on provincial business and Houston said the province is also actively seeking options to cancel existing contracts and reject bids outright until President Trump removes his “unlawful tariffs.”
Houston said the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. has been directed to remove all U.S. alcohol from its shelves, and the government will double the tolls at the Cobequid Pass for American commercial vehicles travelling that stretch of highway in the province’s north.
“We know this was an effective response the first time and hurt American producers who rely on Canadian markets,” Houston said, in reference to the province’s response when Trump first signed the executive order for tariff’s last month.
The tariffs were paused for 30 days shortly after, and Nova Scotia did not go ahead with the countermeasures.
Houston’s government included a $200 million continency fund in the provincial budget tabled last month in case the tariffs went ahead.
“It’s significant for our province. And we’ll look for ways to support businesses, to support employees. And also in consideration with what the federal government is doing and how we amplify their programs. But we’ll be there for Nova Scotians through this time,” he told reporters Tuesday in Toronto where he was attending a conference.
In a statement, Opposition and NDP Leader Claudia Chender called on Houston to “put forward a meaningful plan to protect our traditional industries” from the tariffs’ impacts.
“While no one can predict or control what this volatile President does, it’s crucial that the people of this province have the support they need to weather this storm,” she said.
“Many Nova Scotians are already struggling with the high costs of housing, utilities and groceries – the last thing they need is another financial burden.”
Meanwhile, the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour said the U.S. tariffs represent an unprecedented challenge to the province’s workforce.
Federation president Danny Cavanagh said Nova Scotia has thousands of workers employed in export-oriented industries — including lumber, seafood, Christmas trees, paper products and tires from three Michelin plants.
Those industries now face a severe competitive disadvantage in the U.S. market, he added.
“We’re asking the premier to set up a trade council to make sure that workers’ voices are at the table,” he told Global News.
“Our view is that workers need to be at the table. It should not just be government and business.”
He said the committee should include representatives from labour unions, Indigenous communities, affected industries and communities.
The federation is also calling for employment insurance extensions, targeted support programs for vulnerable exporters, investment in worker retraining programs, and provincial subsidies to help employers maintain jobs if there is a prolonged economic downturn.
“I think there’s a lot of workers that are extremely concerned and nervous,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Saba Aziz
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