Premier R.J. Simpson condemns U.S. tariffs, reaffirms NWT’s commitment to a united Canadian response

Premier Simpson issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. tariffs on Canada:

This afternoon, I met with my fellow Premiers and the Prime Minister to discuss the tariff announcement from the White House. The aggressive and disappointing decision by the United States government to impose tariffs on all Canadian goods means that we, as Northerners and as Canadians, must prepare for increased economic uncertainty. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) remains fully committed to working alongside our federal, provincial, and territorial partners—as well as Indigenous and community governments in the NWT—as part of a coordinated Team Canada approach to respond to these measures.

As Premier, I will continue to advocate for the Northwest Territories and all Northerners. Later this month, I will travel to Washington, D.C., to join all of Canada’s Premiers to present a united front. We will work to ensure Americans understand the real and significant impact these tariffs will have on their wallets, and we will stand firm in defending our economic and national interests.

While the Northwest Territories does not share a land border with the United States and has limited direct exports to the United States, we are not immune to the repercussions of these tariffs. Our economy, businesses, and communities will feel the ripple effects, and our government is committed to closely monitoring these impacts and addressing them wherever possible.

As part of our response, the GNWT is exploring ways to contribute to Canada’s countermeasures. This includes reviewing our procurement policies to eliminate purchases from U.S. companies where possible and halting the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s purchase of American goods. These are significant measures, and we do not take them lightly. We will continue to identify meaningful ways to stand in solidarity with our fellow Canadians.

This moment also presents an opportunity to strengthen the diversity of our economy. The NWT is eager to explore sustainable economic growth by:

• Encouraging businesses and residents to buy Canadian products, supporting Canadian companies and industries in the face of economic pressure.
• Promoting domestic tourism by inviting Canadians to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Northwest Territories and encouraging Northerners to travel within Canada.
• Advancing strategic infrastructure projects like the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Slave Geological Province Corridor to strengthen Canadian supply chains and improve access to our rich deposits of critical minerals.
• Supporting investments that drive national economic diversification and expand trade relationships, such as refining Canadian minerals and resources within our own borders.

Canada has always risen to meet challenges with resilience and resolve. This time will be no different. Indigenous Northerners have lived on this land long before Canada or the United States existed, and our territory continues to evolve in a way that respects that history and embraces diversity. We will not accept a future imposed from outside—we will call it out and stand against it, just as those before us always have. The GNWT stands ready to do its part to protect and strengthen our economy and our communities—together, as Canadians.

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