The Official Opposition is calling on Premier Tony Wakeham to come out of the shadows, show leadership, and bring the roundtable on tariff and trade back together.
The ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. reached a boiling point over the weekend, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to call off negotiations. Over the past year, President Donald Trump has remained relentless and unpredictable toward Canada, breaching the existing trade deal between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, imposing punishing tariffs for an ever-changing list of reasons, and threatening our sovereignty.
Newfoundland and Labrador leaders need regular updates from Premier Wakeham on what he is hearing from Prime Minister Carney and the federal government, as well as a clear understanding of what his government is doing to protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.
At the onset of this American-initiated trade war, our Liberal government immediately established a roundtable with industry, community, labour, and business leaders to collaborate on issues such as market diversification, the impact on our local and provincial economies, and key issues to be raised at the First Ministers’ table. It was an effective way to keep communication open, sharing information, and hearing directly from affected stakeholders.
The tariff and trade roundtable has not met since the Conservatives formed government in October. The time to bring industry and community leaders back to the table is now.
This week, business and community leaders spoke publicly about the importance of the tariff and trade roundtable as a venue to discuss the challenges facing our province and our country. It is disappointing that Premier Wakeham and his Conservative government have not made stakeholder engagement a priority, particularly at such a critical time for our economy.
Industry needs more than uncertainty, it needs a plan. Workers, businesses, and communities need to know what this government is doing to support them and protect jobs as they continue to feel the impacts of this ongoing trade dispute.
While Newfoundland and Labrador has not yet been hit as hard as others as a result of new and unexpected tariffs, it is particularly important that these conversations continue to safeguard our industries, businesses and workers.
“Disappointingly, we have not heard from Premier Wakeham on this important issue or seen the proactive leadership this situation demands. Our province’s industries and workers need to know that their government is listening, will be there to support them, and is taking necessary action to protect them from any negative impacts this ongoing trade dispute may have on Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Opposition Leader John Hogan.
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