Message to U.S. lawmakers is ‘mutually assured damage’ from tariffs, Eby says – BC

British Columbia Premier David Eby expresses optimism that his trip to Washington, D.C., will persuade U.S. decision-makers to reconsider imposing tariffs.

Regardless of the outcome of the mission with other Canadian premiers, Eby acknowledges that the relationship between the two countries has been permanently altered.

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“Regardless of what the president does, we will never go back to the way that we were before, as Canadians, being way too reliant on the decisions of one person in the White House,” Eby stated to media before departing from Vancouver International Airport on Monday evening.

“We took our relationship for granted, I think.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods. A threat to impose the tariffs on Feb. 1 was delayed by 30 days after a last-minute border deal with the Canadian government.

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Eby and the premiers are scheduled to meet with U.S. elected officials from both parties, along with business leaders and organized labour.

At this point, they do not have a meeting arranged with Trump, according to Eby.

The objective of the mission is to emphasize the close economic ties between Canada and the U.S., and the potential harm tariffs could inflict on businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.

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He cited the steel and aluminum tariff announced on Monday as an example. Eby mentioned that the U.S. only produces less than a quarter of the aluminum it consumes.

“These tariffs, even just the tariffs announced today are going to raise costs on so many things for Americans, everything from cars to airplanes, and it doesn’t have to be this way,” he stated.

“They are taxing themselves. They will have to buy it from us or buy it from someone else.”

He also anticipates the federal government will retaliate with sanctions to demonstrate to the U.S. that Canada will not capitulate.

Additionally, he acknowledged that the dispute has brought more federal attention to addressing international organized crime at the border, although he believes the tariffs are more politically motivated and aimed at boosting U.S. revenue rather than addressing legitimate border concerns.

Meanwhile, Eby emphasized that the province is committed to expanding markets for B.C. products, both internationally and within Canada, by reducing interprovincial trade barriers.

He also highlighted government initiatives to expedite major projects and streamline permitting processes.

“It’s so much easier to trade with the United States for so many of our companies, and its a challenge for them to build up markets in other places,” he mentioned.

“We are going to do everything we can to help them do that.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that Canada will retaliate if necessary against Trump’s tariffs with duties on $155 billion worth of American goods, including alcohol, furniture, and natural resources.

In the meantime, Canada has been working to meet Trump’s demands by bolstering border security and drug enforcement with $1.3 billion in funding.

The country has also committed to appointing a fentanyl czar, designating cartels as terrorists, and launching a Canada-U.S. task force to combat organized crime.

With files from the Canadian Press

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