Many Republicans don’t know Trump’s plans for tariffs, resources minister says [Video]

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson arrives for a Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Wilkinson is walking away from his meetings with legislators in Washington, D.C., unsure whether most Republicans know what president-elect Donald Trump will do when he returns to the White House. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Exactly what president-elect Donald Trump plans to do with tariffs on Canada remains a mystery not just to Canada but to most Republicans, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Thursday.

Wilkinson spent several days in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with Congressional Republicans as Canada tries to limit the damage from Trump’s promise to sign an executive order Monday to hit its North American neighbours with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on all exports to the United States.

Wilkinson said a very small group of officials is crafting Trump’s plans for executive orders.

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