'For Pete's sake, why are we doing this?' B.C. Premier Eby asks Americans amid trade war
American housing, fuel, electricity prices will increase, David Eby says
B.C. Premier David Eby is warning Americans about what they will lose once President Donald Trump's tariffs take effect Tuesday.
"Your house prices are going to go up. Your fuel prices are going to go up. Your electricity prices are going to go up," Eby said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
"For Pete's sake, why are we doing this? Let's get back to working together and focusing on areas of shared concern that we have around the globe. I would very much like for Canada to be working with the president on those things instead."
Over the weekend, Trump signed an executive order confirming he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian imports beginning Tuesday, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy products.
Trump made specific mention of B.C. in his executive order and its role in the "heightened domestic production of fentanyl."
Trump had cited the smuggling of the illegal opioid as the initial impetus for the punishing tariffs, along with the flow of illegal migrants across the Canada-U.S. border.
Eby suggested that instead of imposing tariffs, Canada and the U.S. should bring law enforcement and intelligence agencies together to address the movement of fentanyl across borders.
"Our hearts are filled with rage about the predators who traffic this around the globe," Eby said.
As an initial response, Eby said he has directed the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch to immediately stop purchasing American liquor from Republican-led "red states" and remove the top-selling brands from public liquor store shelves.
When asked why Eby is particularly boycotting alcohol from red states, he said he wants to target the decision makers that are supporting trade action against Canada.
"We understand here in Canada, and I certainly understand here in British Columbia, we're tiny compared to the United States. You guys are huge. When an action like this is taken against our country, we have to fight smarter," he told FOX Report anchor Jon Scott.
'We're not going to roll over'
Eby held a news conference Monday at a marine terminal in North Vancouver, which ships copper concentrate to Asia as well as minerals the U.S. relies on for defence and other industries, to demonstrate B.C.'s contributions to the global economy.
"It's [an] example of the kind of work that we're going to expand," he said.
"The absurdity of this, of allies and neighbours hurting each other has really come home to many British Columbians and Canadians. I know people are angry and upset and I'm angry and upset that we're being targeted this way and we are going to stand up. We're not going to roll over."
He said B.C. will work to strengthen its domestic economy and ensure it's diversifying its markets around the world.
Eby said major B.C. firms are currently in the process of redirecting their critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the U.S. to respond to tariffs.
Other provinces hit back
U.S. tariffs could completely upend B.C.'s economy, with the premier previously saying the tariffs would hit harder than the 2008 financial crisis.
An estimated 54 per cent of B.C.'s exports go to the U.S., according to provincial figures, making it British Columbia's biggest trading partner.
A B.C. government analysis released in January showed that the tariffs, if they lasted for the entirety of Trump's term until 2028, would lead to the province losing about $69 billion.
Other provinces, territories and the federal government have also launched their own countermeasures to hit back at the American economy.
Several provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, said all U.S. alcohol will be removed from store shelves by Tuesday.
The Canadian government has pledged to hit the U.S. with retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada. There will be an immediate $30 billion implemented on Tuesday, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days.
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