Sask. premier calls on Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney to negotiate with China on tariffs

Saskatchewan’s premier is calling on Canada’s next prime minister to negotiate with China as the prospect of heavy tariffs on canola threatens to devastate the province’s agricultural producers.

In a press conference in Saskatoon on Thursday, Premier Scott Moe told reporters the Chinese tariffs would cause massive job losses in the Saskatchewan canola crush industry — where harvested canola is crushed to release the oil for use in cooking or to produce biodiesel.

The tariffs could cause long-term damage to the canola industry, says Moe.

“More impactful than the temporary loss of jobs … is the markets we are losing,” Moe said on Thursday. “I don’t know that those markets will immediately come back.”

Moe addressed the media following a roundtable with business leaders on the impact of prospective tariffs from the U.S. and China.

On March 8, China announced plans to implement a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil, canola meal and pea imports, and 25 per cent tariffs on pork, beginning March 20.

The announcement comes as grain farmers in the province prepare for spring seeding. The prospect of losing access to a top global customer for canola would put a major damper on any producers choosing to grow this generally high-profit crop.

According to the province, agri-food exports from Saskatchewan to China in 2024 were worth $3.7 billion and accounted for nearly 40 per cent of total agri-food exports from Canada.

Moe urged Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney — who’s expected to be sworn in on Friday — to negotiate with China to keep its market open to Saskatchewan canola.

Carney, who has yet to be elected to a seat in parliament, may see his government fall and a general election called when parliament resumes in 12 days.

“If they want to represent Canadians, 12 days is certainly enough time for Mr. Carney as prime minister, and his cabinet, to meet [with the Chinese government] and to chart a path forward,” said Moe.

For either the current federal government, or whomever holds power after the next election, Moe says the priority should be focused on investing in the vital infrastructure of trade.

“Ports, pipe and rail need to be part of the conversation of all Canadians,” he said. “And our policy development needs to be in support of not only enhancing the infrastructure but ensuring that the operations in those three spaces are seamless.”