Someone explain premiers and trade wars.

I see Smith and Ford et al. repeatedly on the Tee Vees these days with regard to the US trade threats. Is this purely politics, either general consensus building or brought on by the lack of a national party response due to elections upcoming, prorogued parliament, or Pollievre being somewhat of a weak weasel? Or is there a statutory/federal-constitutional role of provinces in international trade that we don't have in the US due to our own constitution?

Thanks.