Houston calls Trump’s latest tariff threats ‘foolish’ and ‘childish’

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Premier Tim Houston is using some choice words in response to the U.S. president’s latest tariff threats in the ongoing trade war.

In a statement posted to his social media, Nova Scotia’s premier calls U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to implement 35 per cent tariffs on Canada “foolish economics.”

“We have been here before. In fact, the bullying behaviour has been constant under this administration,” Houston said.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday, Trump threatened to impose another round of tariffs on Canadian goods by Aug. 1 — evidently setting a new deadline for the trade talks that were supposed to wrap up by July 21.

Asked about the tariff threat while leaving the White House Friday morning, Trump told reporters that “it was sent yesterday. They called. I think it was fairly well received.”

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But Nova Scotia’s premier is not taking the comments lightly.

“This type of childish bullying is no way to treat a neighbour, friend and ally,” he said. “It’s exactly why Canadians are not buying U.S. products and cancelling trips to the U.S. And it’s why Nova Scotia’s measures around booze and procurement remain in place.”

Houston noted that although things remain chaotic in the trade war, he believes the silver lining is how united the country has been since the president upped his attacks.

“They say when others show you who they are, you should believe them. I also believe when others do their worst, we should do our best,” the premier said.

More premiers weigh in

In a post on social media, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that in the face of Trump’s latest tariff threat, “we need to come together” and develop a plan to protect Canadian workers, businesses and communities.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith discouraged Ottawa from imposing retaliatory tariffs, saying it would “constitute a tax on Canadian consumers and businesses and only weaken Canada’s economy further.”

In a post on social media, Smith said the federal government should also drop “Trudeau-era anti-resource development laws.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said on social media that his party supports increasing trade ties with the European Union. He also accused Carney of “failing” by focusing on investments in the oil and gas sector, which he said would only affect trade “well after Donald Trump’s departure.”