Canada And BC Fire Back At Trump Tariffs, Now In Effect

Calling it a massive threat, Premier David Eby says BC is ready to stand with Canada.

Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods are now in effect - 25-percent tariffs across the board, and a lower 10-percent tariff on energy imports.

Canada is responding with 25-percent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods, beginning with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in three weeks.

The provincial government had previously said in addition to the federal response, BC would be directing the Liquor Distribution Branch to immediately stop buying American liquor from “red states” and remove the top-selling “red-state” brands from the shelves of public liquor stores.

It was also directing B.C. government and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods and services first, and, assessing $20-billion worth of private-sector projects and issuing permits faster, creating 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities.

In a statement Monday, Eby said the BC government “strongly” denounces the US tariffs, noting B.C. has long maintained that any duties on softwood lumber are unjustified.

Tuesday’s tariffs also follow the U.S. President’s order over the weekend to initiate another, separate investigation of forest products, with the possibility of additional tariffs - upwards of 50-percent - or other actions aimed at curbing imports of forest products to the U.S.

Calling them unwarranted attacks, Eby says it’s not how allies treat each other.

“We are stronger when we work together. If the tariffs are imposed, we will stand with Team Canada to respond with strength,” the Premier said.

Eby said for workers who rely on the forestry industry to support their families, or British Columbians who are anxious about other tariffs the U.S. is threatening to impose, the government’s commitment “is to fight hard to defend your jobs and the services you rely on.

And no matter what comes – we will never be the 51st state,” he said.

For more on B.C.’s response to unjustified U.S. tariffs, visit Government of British Columbia.