PRINCE ALBERT – Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to not impose 50 per cent tariffs on an array of Canadian goods is positive for his province.
Moe says the extra levies would have been detrimental to businesses and the overall economy.
Canada and the United States have been in negotiations over a potential deal that could see Washington reduce existing tariffs on some Canadian products.
Moe says he hopes a new agreement would result in smaller levies on steel, aluminum, lumber and autos.
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The premier says those tariffs have already taken a toll, citing a sawmill in Saskatchewan that recently suspended operations.
Moe also says Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provinces to put U.S. liquor back on to store shelves – a measure that wouldn’t affect Saskatchewan as the province never imposed a ban.
“We need to have, in many ways, preferred market access to our largest trading partner,” Moe told reporters in Prince Albert, Sask. “I feel that is what we’re in the process of achieving.”
But what Canada had under the Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement is no longer possible, Moe added.
“Canada will have the strongest trade agreement of any country in the world with the United States of America. But we also need to understand that the status quo that we had two years ago was not possible,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press