Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai’s office won’t rule out any retaliatory measures — including those aimed at U.S. outfitters and minerals coming from the United States to Canada — in response to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on imports going from Canada to the United States.
When asked if Pillai will be offering any retaliations at the upcoming first ministers’ meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s premiers on Jan. 15, Yukon government cabinet communications indicated “all options” are on the table, although no specific retaliatory measures have been proposed by the territory.
The first ministers’ meeting is scheduled to be held just days ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Amid Trump’s expressed intent to impose tariffs on imports from Canada into the U.S., Trump keeps making suggestions about making Canada the 51st state.
Pillai wasn’t available for interview for this story, so the News submitted questions to his office by email.
The News specifically posed questions to Pillai about fees on U.S. outfitters and mineral exports.
“Discussions are ongoing, and we are working to ensure that any potential actions are well-considered and aligned with broader strategies,” cabinet comms said by email.
The email states the situation is being closely monitored.
Pillai’s office said the Yukon premier plans to attend a joint mission with Canada’s premiers to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who chairs the Council of the Federation (COF), a group of all premiers, will head the mission.
According to a press release from COF, premiers are expected to meet with key people in the U.S. administration, Congress and business leaders to push for keeping “strong” Canada-U.S. relations by addressing jobs and the economy, energy, critical minerals, border security and immigration.
Pillai’s office said the plan is to talk potential tariffs and their impact on Canada and the United States.
Pillai last spoke with his U.S. counterpart Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy in a call on Nov. 25, 2024. The two discussed the “evolving geopolitical landscape” as well as Arctic security, “economic resilience” in the north, expanding trade and creating “strong, sustainable” economies, according to a Yukon government statement.
Jonas Smith, executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines, said there’s been a lot of talk and new developments around the tariff threat but he's waiting for things to become clear once Trump is officially in place — and the “situation” in Ottawa has been resolved.
On Jan. 6, 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his looming resignation, set for after a new Liberal Party of Canada leader has been chosen.
Smith is going to wait and see what happens with the Yukon’s largest trading partner across industries before taking a position on retaliations.
He’s hopeful an arrangement that works for both countries can be found — and that’s what he expects leaders to pursue. While he noted that it’s difficult to comment on hypotheticals, small changes in supply chains can have a big impact on the Yukon.
Smith wants to remind all parties who are serious about electrification and moving away from petroleum for energy that the Yukon can develop minerals ethically and responsibly, with agreements with First Nations in place.
“It's all the more reason why we need to focus on the things that we are in control of, and that is making our jurisdiction, our industry, as competitive as possible,” he said.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
