HALIFAX — A threat by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products could cost thousands of jobs in Nova Scotia, Premier Tim Houston warned Thursday.
Houston said the proposed tariffs would threaten jobs in the agriculture and fishery sectors as well as in the manufacturing of products such as tires.
“A tariff at that level could impact thousands of Nova Scotia jobs,” he told reporters following a cabinet meeting. “It’s a serious issue and it’s something we are concerned about.”
Tire giant Michelin operates three plants in Nova Scotia, and Houston said his government has already been in discussions with the company as the province looks to protect jobs across its economy.
According to Nova Scotia government statistics, nearly 70 per cent of the province’s exports from January to September 2024 went to the United States. Exports, the bulk of which were seafood, agricultural products, lumber and tires, were up 6.6 per cent over the same period in 2023, rising to $3.5 billion.
Houston said he fully supports Ottawa’s Team Canada approach and he will do all he can to reach out to politicians and business leaders he knows in the United States. He described Wednesday’s meeting between provincial premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as productive, adding that he’s pleased with the federal government’s plan and its message about the impact of tariffs on Canadian and American jobs.
“Tariff is one word, but tax is the real word,” said Houston. “It’s a tax, it’s a Trump tax and the Trump tax will make products more expensive for American consumers. So the combined effort is to make sure Americans understand that.”
The premier said he will travel to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12 as part of a mission of Canadian premiers and will also likely do more lobbying at a meeting of U.S. governors set to begin Feb. 20 in Washington.
Meanwhile, Houston shied away from being openly critical of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who refused to sign a joint statement following Wednesday’s meeting in Ottawa, saying her province opposes export tariffs on its energy or other products as a response to any U.S. move.
“Premier Smith will have to explain her position,” Houston said. “It’s the oldest negotiation tactic in the world — divide and conquer — so I don’t think we should play into that strategy. As a country we should stay unified.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2025.
Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press
