Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is encouraged by the federal government’s plan to support Canadians amid the ongoing trade war with the United States, adding the province will soon unroll details about how it plans to help.
After attending an unrelated event in Winkler Tuesday, Kinew spoke at length about the counter-tariffs from Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“We have to stand up for our sovereignty, our independence, our freedom as Canadians. At the same time, we have to have supports there that are going to help those businesses that are going to bear the brunt of being caught up in an unjustified trade war launched by the U.S. So we’re very supportive of the federal government’s approach so far,” said Kinew.
The counter-tariffs are targeting around 700 different products from the States, worth $27.6 billion.
The federal government also announced a $7.5 billion support package for people who will be hit hardest by the tariffs, including temporary changes to employment insurance.
Kinew met with industry and labour representatives Monday to discuss the concerns they have about the U.S. tariffs and how they will impact Manitobans.
The premier said he knows the economic impact on some industries will be “very jagged,” and what he heard at the meeting was that both industry and the everyday worker need to be protected during this time.
“What we’ve seen from the Government of Canada today, it does have business supports, but it also has changes to the EI program, which would go directly to workers, and I think it’s important to have that balance. You’ll probably see us moving in a similar way.”
Kinew also touched on the fact that representatives highlighted the province should look at investing in improving Manitoba, which would give local people work.
“If the government has to invest money, why don’t we pay people to build up the province instead of paying people to stay at home like they did in COVID,” he said.
Preparing for the long haul
As the province plans how to best help Manitobans, Kinew said the supports will be designed to be in place for not just months but years.
“I can tell you that the conversation with the prime minister has been to prepare for two-plus years and ensure that programs that we have in place here in the economy are a bridge past the Trump administration.”
Part of those preparations is also working to remove interprovincial trade barriers so more products can start moving east-west, which Kinew said would help offset the north-south tensions. Jamie Moses, the Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, is slated to meet with his provincial and federal counterparts this week, and the premier said his mandate is to break down provincial trade barriers.
Kinew is also calling on the American people to realize that they are the ones being hurt the most by Trump’s trade war with Canada. He hopes they send a message to Trump and his administration during the midterm elections in November that they are tired of what is happening and what to see change.
“Donald Trump is sending out tens of billions of dollars of (tariff) refunds to the big companies in America and they’re not passing the savings down. So he’s only in it for the big people. He plays like he’s in it for the little person, but he only cares about the elites. The sooner Americans, the voting public of America, realize, the better off the whole world will be. So please connect the dots.”
Getting back to the negotiating table
The premier was also asked if Canada should look at getting back to the negotiating table before the counter-tariffs come into effect on Sept. 8.
Despite the recent setback and rhetoric, Kinew feels it is still important to try to get back to talking with U.S. representatives and work out a deal that is beneficial to Canadians and Americans.
“I’m proud of our country right now. I’m proud of Canadians’ response right now. But of course, we wouldn’t be Canadians if we weren’t still willing to sit down and hash out some disagreements and to come to a reasonable agreement on the other side of that.
“It’s always the hope that we’re going to be able to sort through these things. Maybe the president just has to take an L in the midterms before he sees the writing on the wall.”
