B.C. government to address U.S. tariff threat

Following this week’s premiers meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where potential U.S. tariffs threats were at the top of the agenda, B.C.’s premier and finance minister will discuss the issue at a news conference on Thursday morning.

David Eby and Brenda Bailey are set to speak at 10 a.m. in downtown Vancouver.

On Wednesday, Eby referred to the current situation as “economic wartime,” and indicated the province was prepared to back a federal response to the proposed 25 per cent levy.

Eby added that the nation’s premiers understand the “importance of unity,” and were ready to respond to Trump’s demands.

The premier also said his government was ready to support Trudeau’s new border security plan.

One province that doesn’t seem to be on board is Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith has chosen not to sign on to the federal plan.

Her post on social media outlined why she doesn’t believe in cutting off oil and gas exports to Americans.

“Alberta will simply not agree to export tariffs on our energy or other products, nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products. We will take whatever actions are needed to protect the livelihoods of Albertans from such destructive federal policies,” she said on X.

“We also urge our entire nation to use this tariff threat as an opportunity to correct the misguided direction of this country and commence multiple infrastructure projects that focus on developing, upgrading, and exporting our oil, gas, and other natural resources, instead of effectively land locking them and keeping us fully reliant on one primary customer.”

At this time, it’s unclear how the proposed tariffs will impact B.C.’s economy, although it’s expected the forestry and lumber industries may be hit hard.

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