N.B. premier seeks possible retaliatory U.S. tariffs to 'inject some pain'

The New Brunswick government is gathering ideas for potential retaliatory tariffs in response to the threat of 25 per cent tariff from U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump.

“We’re looking at everything that we buy from the U.S. and where we might have places that we could… sort of inject some pain,” said Premier Susan Holt on Thursday, one day after a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers on the topic. “We want to make sure (the U.S.) understand the repercussions of their tariffs on our economy and on theirs, and we’re looking at what may be an appropriate retaliation strategy for goods that come into New Brunswick.”

Holt said she didn’t want to get into specifics about what could be included on such a list, but said it was important for any retaliatory effort to make an impact.

More than 92 per cent of New Brunswick exports go to the United States, with forestry being the province’s largest industry.

Following the meeting on Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested a retaliatory strike from that province could include “cutting off their energy,” naming electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.

When asked about Ford’s comments, Holt said “everything is on the table right now.”

“Certainly we know the New England states rely heavily on both electrons and oil that are coming from Newfoundland, Quebec, and New Brunswick,” said Holt. “And they rely heavily on those energy projects for their energy security and we heard from the New England governors how harmful it would be to their economies should they lose access to those kinds of products.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith bristled at Ford’s energy threat.

"Let me be clear, from the Alberta perspective, under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," said Smith.

This week’s meeting was the second virtual meeting between the Prime Minister and premiers on Trump’s tariff threat on “all products” from Canada and Mexico. Trump said the tariffs could come into effect as soon as he’s sworn in as president on Jan. 20, unless both countries satisfy his concerns about drugs and migrants at the border.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.