The Aporia
The Aporia
National Post Staff. (2026, August 25). Afternoon front page: Howard Lutnick’s role in the demise of trade talks with the U.S.; Ford and Trump exchange insults; and more on the trade war. National Post. https://nationalpost.com/editors/afternoon-front-page-howard-lutnicks-role-in-the-demise-of-trade-talks-with-the-u-s-ford-and-trump-exchange-insults-and-more-on-the-trade-war
National Post Staff. “Afternoon front page: Howard Lutnick’s role in the demise of trade talks with the U.S.; Ford and Trump exchange insults; and more on the trade war.” National Post, 25 Aug. 2026, https://nationalpost.com/editors/afternoon-front-page-howard-lutnicks-role-in-the-demise-of-trade-talks-with-the-u-s-ford-and-trump-exchange-insults-and-more-on-the-trade-war.
National Post Staff. “Afternoon front page: Howard Lutnick’s role in the demise of trade talks with the U.S.; Ford and Trump exchange insults; and more on the trade war.” National Post, August 25, 2026. https://nationalpost.com/editors/afternoon-front-page-howard-lutnicks-role-in-the-demise-of-trade-talks-with-the-u-s-ford-and-trump-exchange-insults-and-more-on-the-trade-war.
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Here's a summary of the news story:
Naheed Nenshi, the leader of the Alberta NDP, has urged Premier Danielle Smith to cancel or postpone the upcoming referendum on separating from Canada due to the ongoing trade war with the US. The referendum is scheduled for October 19 and will ask voters whether they want to start the process of holding a future binding vote on separation.
Nenshi's demand was met with skepticism by some, who noted that he had previously opposed the idea of a separation referendum. Premier Smith rejected Nenshi's request, saying that the trade war was an opportunity for Alberta and Canada to stand together against the US.
Meanwhile, other provinces are also considering their stance on the trade war. Alberta and Saskatchewan have rejected suggestions that they impose export levies on natural resources such as oil and potash in retaliation for US tariffs, with Premier Smith saying that such a move would be "disastrous" and would harm not just Albertans but also other provinces.
The federal government has announced its plan to impose countertariffs on hundreds of US exports, including clothing and apparel, appliances, and dairy products. However, it has removed seafood and fish products from the list of counter-tariffs due to concerns about broader economic harms. The US has warned that further Canadian retaliation will not be tolerated.
The trade war is also being used as a rallying cry by some who are opposed to separation. A pro-unity group called Forever Canadian has seen an increase in support and interest in its patriotic lawn signs, with over 11,000 viewers attending an online town hall meeting last weekend.
