The Tarriff Hype.

[Ron in Regina]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to sign off on a joint statement issued by fellow provincial leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday on how Canada plans to respond to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, blaming Ottawa’s unwillingness to rule out export levies or restrictions on energy exports as part of a retaliatory response.

“Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States,” Ms. Smith said in a post on X following the first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa.

“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs. Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products,” she said.

More to come.

Alberta refuses to sign joint statement on Trump tariffs from first ministers’ meeting — The Globe and Mail

Premier Danielle Smith says possible retaliation based on energy exports prevents her province from supporting Ottawa’s response to Trump

apple.news

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Isn’t he the one that’s always in the memes for that world domination club thing where he wants all the peons to eat bugs?

MMMmmm. . . bugs.

 

[Ron in Regina]

MMMmmm. . . bugs.

Trudeau gave a company government grants to raise crickets for human consumption. It may have gone bankrupt already. Another otherwise investment. If it’s not completely dissolved, I bet it shares are cheap right now. You could get in on the ground floor…..

Just two years after the Trudeau government put up nearly $9 million to help build the world’s largest edible cricket factory, the facility is dramatically cutting staff and production in what they say is an extended retooling.

Aspire Food Group, which cut the ribbon last year on a 150,000-square-foot edible cricket factory in London, Ont., has just laid off two thirds of its workforce and significantly cut back shifts, saying they need to make “some improvements to its manufacturing system.”

FIRST READING: Trudeau’s $9 million bet on edible crickets runs into trouble

The world's largest cricket factory, funded in large part by federal monies, enters extended retooling

nationalpost.com

The 2022 Government of Canada statement announcing the $8.5 million grant mentioned this several times. The subsidy would help Aspire produce “high volumes of nutritious food with a low environmental footprint” and “meet global demand for food by using less water, energy and space and emitting significantly less greenhouse gas emissions.”

😢😢😢Eat Bugs, they're amazing! #shorts 😭

Eat bugs 😭 by all means, but I prefer my Sunday roast 💝. We need to protect the world's farmers and #buylocal If you want to eat bugs then fine, but there...

www.youtube.com

 

[Ron in Regina]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to sign off on a joint statement issued by fellow provincial leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday on how Canada plans to respond to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, blaming Ottawa’s unwillingness to rule out export levies or restrictions on energy exports as part of a retaliatory response.
View attachment 26806
“Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States,” Ms. Smith said in a post on X following the first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa.

“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs. Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products,” she said.

More to come.

Alberta refuses to sign joint statement on Trump tariffs from first ministers’ meeting — The Globe and Mail

Premier Danielle Smith says possible retaliation based on energy exports prevents her province from supporting Ottawa’s response to Trump

apple.news

At the end of the day, it isn’t Smith’s decision, though, as both export tariffs and shutting down exports are federal decisions, not provincial ones. Even Doug Ford or Francois Legault stopping electricity exports is actually a decision of the federal government.

Perhaps if the Trudeau government had not spent their entire time in office shutting down other export pipelines like Energy East, Northern Gateway or saying there is case of LNG exports, this concept would be easier for Albertans to swallow.

If Trump does impose a 25% across the board tariff on all Canadian exports to the United States though, Canada will not respond in kind. The plan is to start smaller with targeted tariffs and build up the response over time.

That’s a middle ground from the Trudeau government because while Alberta’s Smith wants no retaliation, Ontario’s Ford would like a stronger response.

Bottom line, though, as Legault said, we don’t know what Trump will be doing come Monday and until that is clear, any response is simply guesswork.

LILLEY: Mostly, but not completely a show of unity on Trump — Toronto Sun

Most premiers stand together as Alberta's Danielle Smith stands alone.

apple.news

What was surprising is that Smith stood alone because Quebec’s Francois Legault and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe had previously expressed opposition to energy being on the table.

(Saskatchewan, of course, has oil exports on top of potash, uranium and agricultural goods while Quebec is a major exporter of electricity into the New England states. That’s pure profit for the provincial government which owns Hydro Quebec)

I’ll be the first to admit here that I’m somewhat disappointed in Scott Moe on this front.

 

[petros]

At the end of the day, it isn’t Smith’s decision, though, as both export tariffs and shutting down exports are federal decisions, not provincial ones. Even Doug Ford or Francois Legault stopping electricity exports is actually a decision of the federal government.

Perhaps if the Trudeau government had not spent their entire time in office shutting down other export pipelines like Energy East, Northern Gateway or saying there is case of LNG exports, this concept would be easier for Albertans to swallow.

If Trump does impose a 25% across the board tariff on all Canadian exports to the United States though, Canada will not respond in kind. The plan is to start smaller with targeted tariffs and build up the response over time.

That’s a middle ground from the Trudeau government because while Alberta’s Smith wants no retaliation, Ontario’s Ford would like a stronger response.

Bottom line, though, as Legault said, we don’t know what Trump will be doing come Monday and until that is clear, any response is simply guesswork.

LILLEY: Mostly, but not completely a show of unity on Trump — Toronto Sun

Most premiers stand together as Alberta's Danielle Smith stands alone.

apple.news

What was surprising is that Smith stood alone because Quebec’s Francois Legault and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe had previously expressed opposition to energy being on the table.

(Saskatchewan, of course, has oil exports on top of potash, uranium and agricultural goods while Quebec is a major exporter of electricity into the New England states. That’s pure profit for the provincial government which owns Hydro Quebec)

I’ll be the first to admit here that I’m somewhat disappointed in Scott Moe on this front.

Saskatchewan exports electricity to neighboring provinces and the United States. In 2023, Saskatchewan's export revenue was a record high, but exports only made up a small portion of the province's total electricity sales.

Export destinations

• Manitoba: Saskatchewan trades electricity with Manitoba, and the two provinces have long-term power agreements
  
  
• North Dakota: Saskatchewan trades electricity with North Dakota
  
  
• United States: Saskatchewan exports electricity to the United States, which is connected to Canada by 35 cross-border transmission lines

 

[Taxslave2]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to sign off on a joint statement issued by fellow provincial leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday on how Canada plans to respond to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, blaming Ottawa’s unwillingness to rule out export levies or restrictions on energy exports as part of a retaliatory response.
View attachment 26806
“Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States,” Ms. Smith said in a post on X following the first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa.

“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan in dealing with the threatened tariffs. Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products,” she said.

More to come.

Alberta refuses to sign joint statement on Trump tariffs from first ministers’ meeting — The Globe and Mail

Premier Danielle Smith says possible retaliation based on energy exports prevents her province from supporting Ottawa’s response to Trump

apple.news

I noticed it is only the woman that has any balls. Eby is a worm. Scot Moe has been rather disappointing. Ford will do whatever turdoWE tells him to. The rest I don't know enough about except they mostly live off tax dollars from the west.

 

[Taxslave2]

At the end of the day, it isn’t Smith’s decision, though, as both export tariffs and shutting down exports are federal decisions, not provincial ones. Even Doug Ford or Francois Legault stopping electricity exports is actually a decision of the federal government.

Except that natural resources are provincial jurisdiction. The feds could probably impose export taxes, but they do not have the right to stop the flow.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Except that natural resources are provincial jurisdiction. The feds could probably impose export taxes, but they do not have the right to stop the flow.

Generally, the national government has authority over what crosses the national borders.

 

[petros]

Kevin O'Leary says that by going to Mar-a-Lago to see Trump, Danielle Smith has an advantage.

Mr. Wonderful spent part of the weekend at Donald Trump's resort with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and he says it was a very smart move for her to go.

youtube.com

 

[spaminator]

Two-thirds of Canadian small businesses to increase prices if U.S. imposes 25% tariffs
A new CFIB survey also found 82% of businesses would be impacted by tariffs in some way

Author of the article:Jane Stevenson
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is sounding the alarm regarding incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat of a potential 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian products.


A new CFIB survey found such a move would lead 65% of small businesses to increase prices for consumers to offset tariff impacts.

And 69% of small business owners said tariffs would lead to higher costs of doing business.

“A trade war would be disastrous for both Canadian small businesses and consumers,” CFIB Executive Vice-President of Advocacy Corinne Pohlmann said in a statement.

“The solution is a no-brainer. This is an SOS call to all governments: reduce red tape, eliminate internal trade barriers, and ease the tax burden on small businesses.”


New CFIB data found 82% of businesses would be impacted by tariffs in some way with 51% of small businesses directly involved in either importing from or exporting to the U.S.

The CFIB sent a letter to all premiers earlier this week expressing concerns over the tariff threat, with 62% of small businesses agreeing Canadian governments must reduce the tax burden, with an equal percentage supporting the strengthening of border security measures to address U.S. concerns.

They also want governments to take bold action on interprovincial trade.

“It’s ridiculous that it’s still easier for Canadian small firms to do business overseas or across the border than within their own country,” Pohlmann said. “Now is the time for governments to step up and support Canada’s small businesses so they can be more productive and competitive in the face of tariff threats.”

The CFIB’S Your Voice survey was conducted from Dec. 5 to 29, 2024, with 1,898 CFIB members and for comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.25%, 19 times out of 20.

Two-thirds of Canadian small businesses to increase prices if U.S. imposes 25% tariffs

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is sounding the alarm regarding Donald Trump’s threat of a potential 25% U.S. tariffs.

torontosun.com

 

[petros]

Two-thirds of Canadian small businesses to increase prices if U.S. imposes 25% tariffs
A new CFIB survey also found 82% of businesses would be impacted by tariffs in some way

Author of the article:Jane Stevenson
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is sounding the alarm regarding incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat of a potential 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian products.


A new CFIB survey found such a move would lead 65% of small businesses to increase prices for consumers to offset tariff impacts.

And 69% of small business owners said tariffs would lead to higher costs of doing business.

“A trade war would be disastrous for both Canadian small businesses and consumers,” CFIB Executive Vice-President of Advocacy Corinne Pohlmann said in a statement.

“The solution is a no-brainer. This is an SOS call to all governments: reduce red tape, eliminate internal trade barriers, and ease the tax burden on small businesses.”


New CFIB data found 82% of businesses would be impacted by tariffs in some way with 51% of small businesses directly involved in either importing from or exporting to the U.S.

The CFIB sent a letter to all premiers earlier this week expressing concerns over the tariff threat, with 62% of small businesses agreeing Canadian governments must reduce the tax burden, with an equal percentage supporting the strengthening of border security measures to address U.S. concerns.

They also want governments to take bold action on interprovincial trade.

“It’s ridiculous that it’s still easier for Canadian small firms to do business overseas or across the border than within their own country,” Pohlmann said. “Now is the time for governments to step up and support Canada’s small businesses so they can be more productive and competitive in the face of tariff threats.”

The CFIB’S Your Voice survey was conducted from Dec. 5 to 29, 2024, with 1,898 CFIB members and for comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.25%, 19 times out of 20.

Two-thirds of Canadian small businesses to increase prices if U.S. imposes 25% tariffs

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is sounding the alarm regarding Donald Trump’s threat of a potential 25% U.S. tariffs.

torontosun.com

There wont be any tarrifs.

 

[Jinentonix]

There wont be any tarrifs.

Why? Did we stop China from using us as a 3rd country exporter to avoid US tariffs and bans on various Chinese products? Have we clamped down on the fentanyl bullshit? Because if I recall that was Trump's original complaint and it's a fucking valid one.

I dunno where his rambling about a $200 billion trade deficit comes from (it's actually more like $43 billion) or why he keeps confusing deficit with subsidy. Hell, when it comes to America's trading partners, we don't even crack the top 5 when it comes to America's deficit trade gap.

And we do have one thing the US needs; oil. He basically admitted it in his first term when he signed onto the Keystone XL. We account for something like 60% of America's oil imports. A sizable portion of their refining industry is set up to refine heavy Canadian crude. 10's of thousands of American jobs depend on Canadian crude. We have 1/9 the population of the US while holding more than 7x the proven oil reserves than the US. It's a nice, safe, blood-free supply where the US doesn't have to heavily invest in a military presence to keep it securely in trusted hands. That's gotta be worth a few billion a year in savings for them right there.

 

[Ron in Regina]

There wont be any tarrifs.

Then what’s all the sabre rattling about? Trudeau and 12 of 13 premiers agreed on Wednesday to form a united front and get behind a pledge that "everything" is on the table in Ottawa's effort to fight a potential tariff war, including restrictions on or higher costs for Canadian oil and gas shipped to the U.S.

But Poilievre, who polls suggest “could”…
…become prime minister in the next federal election eventually, repeatedly refused Thursday to say whether Canada's energy exports should be part of a Canadian retaliatory strategy.

Poilievre's dodge came after Alberta's leader broke ranks with her provincial counterparts and Trudeau and refused to support any plan that did not have a carve-out for oil and gas.

(Hasn’t America brought Freedom to other countries for less? Just a valid question)

Poilievre repeatedly refused to answer direct questions on his stance about energy exports, and his office did not reply to an emailed request from the Star.

At a news conference in Delta, Poilievre said the first thing Trump should do "is to send a big bouquet of flowers to the Liberal government in Ottawa."

“By blocking pipelines and LNG plants in Canada, the Liberals have forced Canadians to sell almost all of our energy to the United States, giving President Trump massive leverage in making these tariffs threats.”

Poilievre blasted the eventually outgoing Trudeau — and presumptive Liberal leadership front-runners Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney — saying they “weakened and divided our country and have given (Trump) the upper hand.”

“I will quickly approve energy projects to send our energy to the rest of the world without relying on Americans, and we will make our country more self-reliant and independent,” Poilievre said.

He repeated that answer when asked what he made of Smith’s decision to bail out of the hoped-for display of unity among the country’s political leaders.

“We have, effectively, 10 different foreign affairs ministers, one from each province, trying to fight separately,” Poilievre said.

Justin Trudeau slams Pierre Poilievre and Alberta's Danielle Smith for breaking ranks over Trump tariffs — Toronto Star

Trudeau and 12 of 13 premiers agreed on Wednesday to form a united front and get behind a pledge that "everything" is on the table in Ottawa's effort to fight a potential tariff war.

apple.news

Smith pushed back at her critics on "X", writing: "How about this for building a 'Team Canada' approach?"

"Stop threatening the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Albertans & Canadians via an energy export tax or ban."

She listed four other demands: construction of pipelines to diversify exports to Europe, Asia and domestically; more aggressive marketing of Canadian oil and gas; repeal of federal laws that Smith has long argued kill jobs and resource projects; and respect for Alberta taxpayers "that have been transferring hundreds of billions to Quebec, the Maritimes and even Ontario, for decades."

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Why? Did we stop China from using us as a 3rd country exporter to avoid US tariffs and bans on various Chinese products? Have we clamped down on the fentanyl bullshit? Because if I recall that was Trump's original complaint and it's a fucking valid one.

I dunno where his rambling about a $200 billion trade deficit comes from (it's actually more like $43 billion) or why he keeps confusing deficit with subsidy. Hell, when it comes to America's trading partners, we don't even crack the top 5 when it comes to America's deficit trade gap.

And we do have one thing the US needs; oil. He basically admitted it in his first term when he signed onto the Keystone XL. We account for something like 60% of America's oil imports. A sizable portion of their refining industry is set up to refine heavy Canadian crude. 10's of thousands of American jobs depend on Canadian crude. We have 1/9 the population of the US while holding more than 7x the proven oil reserves than the US. It's a nice, safe, blood-free supply where the US doesn't have to heavily invest in a military presence to keep it securely in trusted hands. That's gotta be worth a few billion a year in savings for them right there.

He talks a lot. Not much follow-through. Trump doesn't have policies, he has applause lines. All along the theme of "You've been cheated/hurt/robbed, and I'm gonna get vengeance for you!" He'll probably impose some tariffs and claim victory, but it'll be a small fraction of what he's threatening.

 

[Ron in Regina]

He talks a lot. Not much follow-through. Trump doesn't have policies, he has applause lines. All along the theme of "You've been cheated/hurt/robbed, and I'm gonna get vengeance for you!" He'll probably impose some tariffs and claim victory, but it'll be a small fraction of what he's threatening.

At this point, we don’t know for sure what Trump is going to do. We don’t know if he’s going to follow through on his threat to impose a massive tariff on Canadian exports, and, if so, just how all-encompassing that would be.

Hopefully, the Trudeau government will be cautious about any sort of response. For one thing, it’s not clear how much mandate and moral authority this lame duck and deeply unpopular prime minister has when it comes to leading the charge.

We (Canada & Canadians) missed the opportunity for an election of our own that could have provided some necessary clarity and authority.

Rob Breakenridge: Smith right to be angry at Trudeau's willingness to sacrifice Alberta — National Post

The prime minister would never be open to singling Quebec or Ontario industries

apple.news

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

At this point, we don’t know for sure what Trump is going to do.

Welcome to Earth. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Welcome to Earth. Enjoy your stay.

Hurry up & wait.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

I understand that your local potentate has a significant impact on your life, but he hardly compares to the once-and-future most powerful man on Earth.

 

[Ron in Regina]

I understand that your local potentate has a significant impact on your life, but he hardly compares to the once-and-future most powerful man on Earth.

I hear you. We currently just react, eventually, to the direction we think the tides might flow. Brodie (politics professor at the University of Calgary and a former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper) said he thinks Ontario Premier Doug Ford did not do the country any favours when he said Canada would use Alberta’s energy exports as a tool to protect Ontario’s manufacturing base from the effects of a trade war.

“It was an ill-advised opening salvo of the Canadian response,” he said. “It’ll be a very tricky bit of national business for whoever’s in charge in Ottawa when these tariffs come into effect to come up with a package that keeps the country united and that spreads the pain of retaliation across the entire economy without singling out Alberta… It’s a powerful weapon, but using only that weapon and leaving all of our other industries aside in the trade war isn’t going to fly politically.” (Not to mention that pesky national unity thing)

Brodie said the picture is complicated by having a lame duck prime minister. “The problem here is not that Trudeau says or doesn’t say the right thing. It’s the idea that Trudeau is gone at the beginning of March most likely.

He (Trudeau) has boxed himself into an extremely tight corner where nobody’s going to pay attention to anything he has to say on either side of the border. What makes anybody think that he would be able to lead us through the next six or seven weeks of a brutal trade war, that could lead to tens of thousands of job layoffs in Canada, when he’s not going to be around as of March 24th at the very, very latest most likely?”

Ivison: 'We don’t have a functioning government' - and that’s Trudeau’s fault — National Post

John Ivison and his guests discuss Canada’s response to the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump and the Liberal party’s desperate race to replace Justin Trudeau

apple.news

“The Liberal party’s inability to manage its own leadership succession at some point a year ago or six months ago, when everybody huffed and puffed and there were going to be all these secret ballots or behind closed door caucus meetings, has put the country in an extremely weak position at the point of maximum peril. And I don’t think it matters whether it’s Trudeau or Mark Carney or Chrystia Freeland or whoever ends up in charge of this mess in March.”

Trudeau won’t run as MP in next election

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will not be seeking re-election as an MP, but does not know what his next step might be.#news #politics #canada

www.youtube.com

“This isn’t going to be resolved until there’s an election and until the political situation in Canada has sorted itself out.”

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Given the likelihood that Poilievre will win, you should be OK. I hope he's deft enough to apply the right mix of flattery, agreement, cautionary advice, and bonhomie to keep Canada safe from Trump. On the other hand, as Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer once wrote. . .

"They were the stupidest ten percent. They weren't hard to outwit."