Sask. premier heading back to Washington, again hoping to ‘de-escalate’ U.S. tariff threat

U.S. President Donald Trump says his looming tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go forward 'on time, on schedule' while speaking to reporters in Washington.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is on his way back to Washington, D.C. again hoping to de-escalate the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

In a news release, Moe says he will be accompanied by, “several Saskatchewan businesses and organizations.”

Meetings with U.S. decision makers and business leaders will take place with the importance of a strong integrated economy between Canada and the U.S. being discussed.

Joining Moe will be representatives from Cameco, EVRAZ, Arizona Lithium, Cenovus, Whitecap Resources, Enbridge, North American Helium and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, according to the province.

“Saskatchewan companies play a critical role in North American food and energy security,” Moe said in the release.

“I am returning to Washington to continue our efforts in de-escalating the threat of potential tariffs from, our largest trading partner, the U.S. The relationship between our jurisdictions has mutual benefit, and we are working with key stakeholders, industry leaders and government representatives on both sides of the border to build and protect our economies.”

“Through this mission, we aim to shape perspectives and inform decision-making by highlighting the economic consequences of tariffs on both of our economies,” the chamber’s CEO, Prabha Ramaswamy, said in a statement.

Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel added that Canada and the U.S. have had a long-standing relationship.

“The Trump administration’s pursuit of energy dominance and its support for domestic nuclear power will require Saskatchewan uranium -- and Cameco’s expertise and capacity across the nuclear fuel cycle,” he said.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison is also travelling Monday to Washington, D.C., for the National Association of State Department of Agriculture conference.

Harrison said he’ll have an opportunity to meet with U.S. officials and showcase Saskatchewan’s contribution to North American competitiveness and food security.

“The future of Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector is built on strong international relationships and our trade mission to the U.S. reinforces our commitment to open markets and collaboration,” he said.

The province said that the U.S. remains Saskatchewan’s largest and most important trading partner, with around $40 billion worth of imports and exports crossing the border annually.

“Canada and [the] U.S. are much stronger when operating in a tariff-free environment,” the province said in the release.

Moe was in Washington earlier this month for a trip that included similar objectives of promoting Saskatchewan and Canada and the importance of a tariff-free environment between the two countries.

• Sask. premier feels Washington meetings aimed to fight off U.S. tariffs were ‘productive’

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports.

A 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum is set to take effect on March 12. Trump has also spoken of tariffs on vehicles and has not ruled out a sweeping 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods imported by the U.S., a tariff he delayed in early February until March after conversations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

• For more on Trump’s tariffs click here

According to the province, in 2024, Saskatchewan exported $12.5 billion in crude oil, $4.2 billion in potash and $2.9 billion in canola oil to the United States. Agri-food products represented nearly 22 percent of total exports; the province added.

Moe’s trip is scheduled to take place from Feb. 24 to 27th.

With files from The Canadian Press