By Abdul Jabbar | Bouncer News
British Columbia Premier David Eby has taken a strong stand against the recent move by the U.S. government to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, ordering the BC Liquor Distribution Branch to stop purchasing American liquor.
Speaking at a press conference in Vancouver, Eby condemned the tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying they are “a complete betrayal” of the longstanding economic relationship between Canada and the United States.
“This is an economic assault on a trusted ally and friend,” Eby declared. “We will not stand idly by as our province and our industries are unfairly targeted.
The imposition of new tariffs, ranging from the 25 per cent duty on various Canadian exports to a 10 per cent tariff on energy products, will take effect on Tuesday. In response, Eby has called for immediate countermeasures, which include halting the purchase of American liquor from Republican-led states and removing existing stock from store shelves.
In addition, Eby has ordered provincial agencies, such as BC Hydro, ICBC, and health authorities, to prefer Canadian goods and services over imported American ones.
The provincial government has also fast-tracked the approvals of ten private-sector projects worth $20 billion in mining, renewable energy, and natural gas production. This is expected to add about 6,000 jobs in northern and rural communities.
Eby also tackled the issue of illicit drug trafficking, a cause cited for applying the tariffs. Admitting that fentanyl indeed wreaks havoc in both Canada and the United States, he maintained that this was not a reason to impose tariffs.
We have the same goal in terms of combating organized crime and the flow of illicit drugs,” he said. “If President Trump is serious about working together on this issue, we are open to dialogue. But these tariffs do nothing to solve the problem.
According to a statement from the Office of the Premier, wood, pulp and paper, metallic minerals, and energy products make up almost 67 per cent of B.C.’s exports to the U.S. The forestry sector, already reeling from softwood lumber duties and mill closures, is expected to be hit particularly hard by the new tariffs.
The BC Council of Forest Industries had warned that new trade restrictions might lead to job losses and instability in the local economies of many communities that have been dependent on the industry.
Eby continued to be stubborn, stating that B.C. has diversified the economy and brought down its dependency on U.S. trade.
“Even if these tariffs are eventually lifted, our relationship with the U.S. will never return to what it was before,” he stated. “British Columbia must continue forging new trade partnerships and expanding its global economic network.”
Eby concluded with a message of resilience and unity: “As British Columbians and Canadians, we will stand together against this unfair attack and protect our economic future.”