Canada And Provinces Announce Immediate Response To Trump Tariffs

Premier David Eby, other Canadian premiers, and the federal government have all announced countermeasures to US tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods and 10% on energy.

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday he was going ahead with the threat, and Canadian politicians responded.

“President Trump’s 25% tariffs are a complete betrayal of the historic bond between our countries and a declaration of economic war against a trusted ally,” said Premier Eby.

“As British Columbians, and as Canadians, we will stand strong and united in the face of this unprecedented attack.”

The federal government is slapping 25% tariffs on $30-billion worth of American goods effective Tuesday, and on another $125-billion worth of goods in a few weeks’ time, after consultation with industry.

Premier Eby announced immediate measures, including directing the BC 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 is also directing the B.C. government and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods and services first.

The Province is also assessing private-sector projects worth $20 billion with the goal of getting them approved as quickly as possible and issuing their permits faster.

That should create 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities.

In addition, the Province says it has vowed to support and help implement the actions being taken by the federal government.

Premier Eby added that additional measures are under consideration by B.C. and could be introduced in the coming days and weeks.

“We won’t back down or be bullied into becoming another state,” said Premier Eby.

“Our province is unified and resolute. We'll never stop standing up for B.C. and Canada.”

In January, B.C. released its preliminary assessment of 25% tariffs.

That analysis showed that B.C. could see a cumulative loss of $69 billion i n economic activity between 2025 and 2028, along with the loss of more than 120,000 jobs.