FREDERICTON – New Brunswick's Premier, Susan Holt, has expressed her readiness to collaborate with the Prime Minister to implement retaliatory tariffs against the United States following the breakdown of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations on August 21, 2026. Holt highlighted that her government is actively working with Ottawa to ensure that Canada's response maximizes the economic impact on the U.S. while minimizing adverse effects on New Brunswick and the rest of Canada.
During a press conference on August 24, Holt stated, "We need to see something that is going to hit (the U.S.) where it hurts and have an impact." She emphasized the necessity of accompanying these tariffs with federal and provincial support to mitigate their negative repercussions at home. This strategic approach aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that Canada plans to impose dollar-for-dollar tariffs in retaliation for the U.S.'s new 50 percent duties on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, which took effect following the collapse of trade talks.
Although specific details regarding the implementation of Canada's reciprocal tariffs have yet to be revealed, they are slated to begin next month. Holt warned that alterations to the province's energy exports should be handled with extreme caution. New Brunswick plays a pivotal role in supplying parts of northern Maine with electricity necessary for operating hospitals and various public services, while also procuring power from Maine.
Throughout the negotiations, Carney pointed out that the U.S. introduced terms late in the talks that would have restricted Canada's protections of language and culture. Holt, serving as the premier of Canada's only officially bilingual province, applauded her government's decision to break off negotiations over these sensitive topics. "There are some things we will never trade away as New Brunswickers... our language and culture and identity that is wrapped around the French language, the Acadian history, that’s critical to who we are," she stated resolutely.
The new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are projected to affect approximately $112 million worth of New Brunswick exports, which corresponds to about 0.8 percent of the province's total exports to the U.S. Initial estimates suggest that around 500 jobs in New Brunswick could be jeopardized due to these tariffs. Certain sectors, particularly forestry, manufacturing, and beer brewing, are anticipated to be disproportionately impacted by the impending trade measures.
In response to these challenges, Holt mentioned that the Crown corporation Opportunities New Brunswick possesses a flexible array of tools designed to provide relief, including retraining programs, income support, and loans tailored for affected companies. Furthermore, Holt has underscored the importance of promoting Canadian products through procurement policies and has called upon citizens to prioritize domestic purchases in their consumption habits.
In light of the U.S.'s trade aggressiveness, Holt stressed the urgency for Canada to address its own internal trade barriers. She committed to cooperating with other provinces on critical issues such as labor mobility and energy independence to foster a more resilient economy. It is worth noting that Holt's Liberal government presented a budget in March 2026 with a historical deficit of $1.39 billion, and the Finance Department has projected a $1.3 billion shortfall in the 2027-28 fiscal year and a $1.26 billion deficit for the subsequent year. Holt expressed her belief that the new tariffs will further drag down the provincial economy, exacerbating the existing deficit challenges.
