Image: Premier David Eby addresses the Trump tariffs in a provincial announcement. / YouTube / Government of BC

By Alyssa Conti

B.C. TARIFF RESPONSE

B.C. premier announces trade retaliations to U.S. tariffs

Feb 1, 2025 | 6:26 PM

VANCOUVER — B.C. premier David Eby has introduced a number of counter-measures to U.S. president Donald Trump’s upcoming tariffs.

“President Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs are a complete betrayal of the historic bond between our countries and a declaration of economic war against a trusted ally,” said Premier Eby. “As British Columbians, and as Canadians, we will stand strong and united in the face of this unprecedented attack.”

Eby shared his plans at a provincial announcement on Saturday (Feb. 1), with immediate orders such as:

• Stopping American liquor sales from “red states”, as well as removing top-selling “red-state” brands from public liquor store shelves;
• Directing B.C. and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods first; and
• Approving $20 billion worth of private-sector projects, generating an estimated 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities.

“There’s energy projects, there’s mining projects, and these are particularly in rural and remote communities that are going to be disproportionately affected by these tariffs.”

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The forestry sector is expected to take the largest hit, but overall provincial impact may be softened as British Columbia is one of the least trade-exposed provinces in the country.

Eby is also looking to enhance trade security by shifting trade partners and diversifying away from U.S. markets and customers.

A new cabinet committee will be formed to coordinate the province’s economic approach in the day-to-day.