Trump’s tariff threat a ‘reprehensible’ ploy to ‘make Canada the 51st state,’ Eby says

According to B.C. Premier David Eby, U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat was not related to fentanyl but was actually an attempt to pressure Canada into joining the United States.

Eby’s comments came after a last-minute border deal was reached to temporarily halt Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.

“Despite today’s agreement, the threat of tariffs still looms over us as Canadians, and Mr. Trump’s approach is deliberate,” Eby stated.

“There is a clear intention to harm Canada’s economy and push us towards becoming the 51st state of the U.S. This is unacceptable, incomprehensible, and deeply disappointing. It has angered me, as well as British Columbians and Canadians.”

3:30
Fentanyl, the border and the delayed tariff threat

Trump has given various reasons for his decision to impose tariffs on Canada, including the flow of fentanyl and migrants across the border.

However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals that less than one percent of seized fentanyl originates from the northern U.S. border.

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Trump has also justified the tariffs by citing the U.S.’s trade deficit with Canada and falsely claiming that U.S. banks are prohibited from operating in Canada.

He has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Canada as the 51st state and has threatened to do so through economic means.

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0:53
Trudeau responds to Trump’s 51st state remark, calls it a ‘distraction’

Trump reiterated his desire for Canada to become the 51st state in recent social media posts shared by an official White House account.

While Eby suggested that drug smuggling was a pretext for the tariffs, he pledged the province’s full cooperation with the federal government’s border agreement.

As part of the agreement, Canada will implement a $1.3 billion border security plan announced in December, allocate an additional $200 million for a new intelligence initiative on organized crime and fentanyl, appoint a “fentanyl czar,” designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and establish a joint Canada-U.S. task force to combat fentanyl, organized crime, and money laundering.

“We have a significant role to play in this situation, and we have conducted extensive work on these issues to support the federal government in addressing the challenges faced in British Columbia. This includes enhancing inspections, bolstering port police presence, and improving systems to track money flow through real estate and luxury cars to facilitate law enforcement efforts,” Eby explained.

“We want to make sure these systems are utilized and that information is shared with us.”

0:49
Trudeau on prospect of Canada becoming 51st U.S. state: ‘That’s not going to happen’

Eby noted that Trump’s actions have altered the relationship between Canadians and the U.S. for the foreseeable future.

Consequently, the province is prepared to reinstate tariff retaliations while working to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and exploring new foreign export markets.

The province is also considering expediting key projects that are close to being ready for implementation and will release a list of potential options on Tuesday.

With contributions from Sean Boynton and the Canadian Press

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