Canada’s energy leaders politely rebuke Trump’s tariffs during Texas event

A trio of Canadian politicians condemned President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada during an event in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday in what CBC News said was “in the most stereotypically Canadian way possible.”

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean and Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce made their remarks at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department for comment via an online media inquiry form outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

Tensions between the United States and its ally, Canada, have surged since the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian products, excluding oil, on March 4. Some of these were later put on hold for a month.

The trade war and Trump’s repeated statement that he wants Canada to join the U.S. as its 51st state have sparked hostility in Canada, with the American national anthem being booed at a series of sporting events.

What To Know

At Tuesday’s CERAWeek conference in Houston, Moe said the “tariffs and escalating counter-tariffs [do] nothing to benefit the North American family,” CBC News reported.

Speaking to the network after the panel, Lecce said he was “offended,” adding: “I think about my own dad who immigrated through Ellis Island, New York. I mean, we are family, and this is unjust.”

Referring to the tariffs during the panel, Jean said, “I don’t think friends do that to friends.”

Tuesday also saw tensions flare again after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a 25 percent surcharge on electricity sales to Michigan, Minnesota and New York. In response, Trump announced that Canadian steel and aluminum tariffs would double to 50 percent.

However, after being promised a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ford agreed to suspend the measure, and Trump did likewise with the steel and aluminum retaliation.

On Wednesday, the European Union announced it would impose $28 billion worth of tariffs on U.S. industrial and agricultural goods in retaliation to the Trump administration’s raising steel and aluminium tariffs to 25 percent.

The wave of tariffs has sparked recession warnings from some economists, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7 percent on Monday alone.

What People Are Saying

Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told CBC News after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “I think we both left understanding a little bit more of the perspectives of the other side, and I’m hopeful that he will be a voice for trying to find ways to de-escalate and eventually get these tariffs removed.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, in a joint statement: “Secretary Lutnick agreed to officially meet with Premier Ford in Washington on Thursday, March 13 alongside the United States Trade Representative to discuss a renewed USMCA ahead of the April 2 reciprocal tariff deadline. In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 per cent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan, New York and Minnesota.”

President Donald Trump, Monday on Truth Social: “Canada is a Tariff abuser, and always has been, but the United States is not going to be subsidizing Canada any longer. We don’t need your Cars, we don’t need your Lumber, we don’t your Energy, and very soon, you will find that out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

What Happens Next

Canadian leaders are pushing hard for a new deal with the U.S. that would remove tariffs imposed by Washington since the beginning of the month. However, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be reached with the Trump administration, and if not, additional suspended tariffs could be reimposed in April.