Immigrants in southwest Saskatchewan are grappling with uncertainties and anxieties as the escalating tariff between the United States and Canada casts a shadow over their daily lives.  In February 2025, U.S. 47^th President, Donald Trump announced that his administration would impose a sweeping 25% tariff on a significant portion of Canadian exports. This decision has sent shockwaves through the communities across Saskatchewan, a province that’s one of the United States’ largest trading partners. The province's economy heavily relies on exporting agricultural produce and crude oil to the States. The key commodities include potash and uranium, and this makes Saskatchewan vulnerable to the economic fallout from these tariffs.

The ripple effects of this trade war extend far beyond government policies- they are being felt directly by ordinary people, especially immigrants who already face unique challenges when adapting to life in a new country. With Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announcing retaliatory measures against the tariffs, the stage seems set for an even deeper economic standoff.  As tensions rise, many immigrants fear how this “economic war” will impact their livelihoods, cost of living, and overall quality of life.  

For Hanna Ro a Settlement Worker and immigrant from South Korea, the situation involves feelings of frustration and helplessness. “This tariff war isn’t going to hurt everyone equally”, she says. “It’s the middle class that will suffer the most, while the rich just keep getting richer” Hanna explains that her family will manage to stretch their budget without sacrificing essentials. For immigrants like Hanna, the added inflation could prove overwhelming. 

Grace Dimayuga, a Settlement Worker at the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre in Swift Current, echoes similar concerns voiced by the immigrant community she serves. Many of her clients- newcomers trying to build stable lives in Canada- are deeply worried about what lies ahead. “They came here seeking better opportunities, but now they are faced with uncertainty” Grace shares. “These tariffs mean higher prices for food, housing materials, and other necessities. For someone who is starting, that can make all the difference”

Rajbinder Gill Mathias, known to her friends as Raji, sees the ongoing tariff war as more than just an economic issue- it is a political war. She has embraced this perspective wholeheartedly. For Raji, who hails from India but now calls Canada home, the choice of what to buy at the grocery store or local market is deeply tied to her sense of identity and loyalty to her adopted country. 

“In India, we always made it a point to support local businesses by buying ‘Made in India’ goods, Raji explains. “It was a matter of national pride and self-reliance. Now that I live in Canada, I feel the same way about supporting Canadian products” This mindset has led her to make a conscious decision to stop purchasing American-made goods altogether. Every time she shops, Raji carefully inspects labels on shelves to ensure that the items she buys are made in Canada. 

How this will ultimately play out for the United States remains uncertain. However, history offers a potential parallel worth considering, the era of splendid isolationism in the early 20^th century. During the 1930s, amidst the Great Depression, the U.S. adopted policies aimed at bolstering its domestic economy by prioritizing American industries and workers. This period saw significant tariffs imposed on imports through measures like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which sought to protect American jobs and businesses. While intended to shield the U.S. economy, these protectionist policies instead contributed to a decline in global trade and worsened the economic downturn both domestically and internationally.  

When viewed through this historical lens, Donald Trump’s “America First” mantra- which emphasized prioritizing American industries and reducing reliance on foreign goods can be seen as a modern echo of splendid isolationism. His administration’s aggressive use of tariffs against trading partners like Canada, China, and the European Union reflects a belief that such measures would strengthen the U.S. economy and benefit American workers. But critics argue that these tactics risk alienating allies, disrupting the supply chain, and driving up costs for consumers- all while potentially harming the very industries they aim to protect. 

Will the U.S. current “splendid tariffism” lead to renewed prosperity, or will it deepen divisions and economic instability? Only time will tell if history repeats itself.  For now, immigrants like Raji in communities across southwest Saskatchewan though gripped by uncertainty, remain steadfast in their convictions to stand by the country they now call home- even if it means leaving certain products on the shelf.