Citing “economic wartime,” British Columbia Premier David Eby said his government supports a federal plan to respond to proposed U.S. tariffs, up to and including possible export tariffs and targeted export bans.
Eby made the comments Wednesday after meeting with prime ministers from across the country, ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada.
Eby said the premiers understood “the importance of unity” and agreed on the need to prepare for Trump imposing the full 25 percent tariff.
“We have supported the federal government’s proposals regarding the tariff response and continue to support the tariff response as well as the possibility of export taxes as well as export bans on specific and strategic products from Canada to the United States ” said Eby.
Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed that no region of the country should “disproportionately bear the burden” in response to these potential tariffs, but added that “everything is on the table as potential responses.” .
Eby said the premiers were also united on the need to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and work to expand trade partnerships with countries other than the United States.
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British Columbia has also pushed for Ottawa to expedite federal approval of major projects in British Columbia, including the extraction of critical minerals.
The province also fully supports Ottawa’s new border security plan.
“Particularly with respect to British Columbia’s concerns related to money laundering, fentanyl, the importation of drug precursors, as well as Ontario and Quebec’s concerns regarding migration,” he said. he declared.
While the premiers sought to present a united front on Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith clearly refused to sign the federal plan.
Smith, who opposed blocking oil and gas exports to the United States, posted on social media to explain his position.
“Federal government officials continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off U.S. energy supplies and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States,” she wrote.
“Until these threats cease, Alberta will not be able to fully support the federal government’s plan to address the threatened tariffs.
Eby downplayed potential divisions within the “Team Canada” tariff response, saying not everyone on board would agree on every tactic.
“Premier Smith needs to do what she feels she needs to do for her domestic audience,” Eby said.
“I just know that as a Canadian and a British Columbian, I will stand firmly with the premiers to ensure that we do not limit the tools available to the federal government to respond to this situation.”
The potential impact of Trump’s tariffs on British Columbia remains unclear, although experts say the forestry sector — a veteran of U.S. trade disputes — will likely be among the hardest hit.
“At some point, these tariffs are going to come back to the factories. Low-cost regions will continue to produce. British Columbia is the highest cost manufacturing region in North America,” said Russ Taylor, president of industry consultancy Russ Taylor Global.
So if there are reductions in work due to low prices and high costs…the BC mills will cut back first and most…the loggers will then cut back as well. After a while it’s a house of cards until you find the bottom.
Canadian leaders and industry are hoping the United States might reverse course, or at least moderate its stance on tariffs, although those hopes are starting to fade as Trump’s inauguration approaches.
Trump will take office on January 20, when the trade situation is expected to become clearer.
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