Premier R.J. Simpson and some of his fellow MLAs are giving their thoughts on what the NWT needs to do to respond to U.S. president Donald Trump's threat of 25 per cent tariffs coming to Canada, which could come as early as this Saturday if Trump follows through on his threat.

Late last year, Simpson described the tariffs as a concern for all Canadians and likely Americans. In a statement to NNSL Media on Monday, Simpson pointed out that the territory is not a significant exporter to the U.S. and one of the few jurisdictions to not share a border with our southern neighbours.

"Diamonds are the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 main export product, making global diamond markets such as Belgium and India more pivotal trading partners, in terms of direct trade, than the United States," he stated, adding that the GNWT is committed to working with federal, provincial, and territorial partners as part of a "Team Canada" approach.

"As part of this approach, the NWT is interested in exploring opportunities for sustainable diversification and growth of our collective economy," he added. "This could include encouraging businesses and residents to buy Canadian products and supporting infrastructure investments that will create jobs and bolster our economy."

Other methods of juicing the territory's economy, according to Simpson, include projects like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, a massive project that connects NWT communities together, and the Slave Geological Province Corridor, a proposed, all-season road that connects the NWT to Nunavut, which would help provide Canadian supply chains access to resources and critical minerals.

Simpson also mentioned investments to keep Canadian oil and mineral refinement in the country as one way to further reduce the country's reliance on the U.S. 

If successful, that could save the country billions as currently, Canada is America's no. 1 exporter of oil. According to the Canada Energy Regulatory (CER), a federal department, of its crude to the U.S. in 2023 worth more than $120 billion, according to the feds.

Also reported in 2023 by the CER, CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 imports of refined products like gas and oil have roughly tripled since 2010 to the tune of around $26 billion in 2022. That's a 55 per cent jump from the year prior, which was a little more than $16.8 billion in 2021.

The country Canada is importing most of this refined petroleum from? The U.S.

SA国际影视传媒 reached out to other members of cabinet for their insight as well, but was informed by a spokesperson with the cabinet press department that only Simpson, who's also the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, is responsible for tariff items.

Non-cabinet MLAs, though, including Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan, said the country needs a unified response to handle Trump's threats.

"A divide and conquer approach, where each individual territory, each individual province, tries to deal separately with the U.S. is a bad mistake," said Morgan.

She added that she thinks the U.S. would begin quickly divide the country by dangling some incentives to certain provinces and the hurting others.

"I don't have specific, step-by-step demands, but I think, overall, it's really important the NWT reach a common game plan and approach with other parts of Canada," she said. "We're going to be stronger if we work together with other regions of Canada."

Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart said he thinks the tariffs will more than likely hit on Feb. 1 and that now is probably also a good time to up the territory's borrowing limit.

"If we are in a trade war with the U.S., costs in the North are going to go through the roof," he explained. "We will need more financial flexibility than what we currently have."

An application to raise the limit is already underway, Testart noted, and he expects to see an increase soon, even if Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre makes his way into the Prime Minister's Office.

Part of Poilievre's campaign has been a promise to reduce government spending. But, according to Testart, he doesn't see how the territory wouldn't still get an increase.

"If it doesn't go up, every time we hit the debt ceiling, we have to ask the treasury board to borrow. If it is Mr. Poilievre, it'll be a headache for his government to approve every single request the GNWT has to borrow. So, I don't think he'll do that."

Testart also echoed Morgan's call for unity, specifically for the country's premiers.

He said the country is off to a good start, save for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who he said seems to be gambling on her personal relationship with Trump to spare her province.

"She's going down that path, but for the rest of us, Canada's not for sale," he said.