British Columbia Premier Eby says Canada will negotiate from a 'position of strength' on U.S. tariffs

British Columbia Premier David Eby said Canada must approach Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 25 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian products from a position of strength, as trade organizations, trade and community leaders called for rapid action in the face of the commercial threat.

Eby said the prime ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would meet this week to discuss “our strategic approach” to the US president-elect’s plan to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports immediately after his inauguration on January 20, unless measures are taken to stem customs duties. cross-border flows of migrants and illicit drugs.

The premier of British Columbia made the comments Tuesday in a speech at the British Columbia Federation of Labor’s annual convention in Vancouver.

WATCH | Trump threatens to tax Canada by 25%

Trump threatens 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on first day in office

In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, United States President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico until the two countries end what he calls “the invasion” of undocumented migrants and drugs crossing into the United States. border.

“Obviously this will be devastating for workers on both sides of the border,” he said. “Both in the United States and Canada, the impact on families will be profoundly significant. »

Canada and the United States have long been major trading partners in imports and exports, and the strength of that relationship puts Canada in a strong position in the face of Trump’s tariff threat, Eby said.

“We have more in common with Americans than what separates us,” he said. “We buy more American products than France, China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined. So we are negotiating, I believe, from a position of strength.”

Eby acknowledged that improvements could be made at the Canadian border, particularly when it comes to combating smuggling and illegal drugs.

“We have repeatedly asked, for example, the port police to ensure that what enters British Columbia is not contraband, that it is not illicit drugs or chemical precursors “, he said. “These are things we can do to improve life here in British Columbia, as well as address concerns raised south of the border.”

Trump released a statement on social media Monday, saying Canada and Mexico have the authority to resolve their border issues, which he called a “long-standing issue.”

British Columbia business leader calls for ‘Team Canada approach’

British Columbia business organizations have called on the provincial and federal governments to immediately address Trump’s tariff plan, which they say will hurt businesses.

The proposal would have “significant consequences” for B.C. businesses of all sizes and harm communities and workers across the province, said Fiona Famulak, president of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce and executive director. .

The BC Lumber Trade Council said the proposed tariff would harm U.S. consumers and homebuyers by driving up the cost of building materials from Canada, while the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade said the U.S. was British Columbia’s largest trading partner, accounting for 54 percent of the market. exports of raw materials from the province in 2023.

“It is imperative that we engage constructively with our American counterparts to advance our collective interests,” said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to all levels of government that a new Team Canada approach is needed.”

She said some of British Columbia’s main exports to the United States are natural gas, lumber, agricultural products and minerals and metals.

BC Conservative Opposition Leader John Rustad has called for the immediate recall of the BC Legislative Assembly to provide funds to secure borders to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants.

A middle-aged woman with long red hair and round, blue-rimmed glasses looks straight ahead. — British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says the United States will always be a major trading partner, but points out there is growing demand for raw materials in Asia. (Mike McArthur)

British Columbia Finance Minister highlights business opportunities in Asia

Brenda Bailey, British Columbia’s new finance minister, said potential tariffs are concerning, but there are opportunities to improve relations with major trading partners such as Japan and South Korea. South.

“The interest in B.C. commodities in Asia is very, very high,” Bailey told the CBC show. On the Coast.

“The United States will always remain important, but British Columbia is uniquely positioned to really improve our trade relationships elsewhere as well.”

British Columbia government data shows the province’s exports to the United States in the first half of 2024 were $16.9 billion, down 1.1 percent from the same period from last year.