B.C. premier responds to new U.S. tariffs

B.C. premier responds to new U.S. tariffs

New 50% tariffs on variety of goods came into force Friday night after trade talks broke down

Premier David Eby said that his government would support Canada's counter-measures in the wake of an escalation in the U.S.-Canada trade war.

Eby spoke at a news conference at noon PT, in which he said that B.C. was set to be disproportionately affected by the new duties.

U.S. President Donald Trump's new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods took effect last night after trade talks broke down at the 11th hour.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada walked away after the U.S. attempted to make "last-minute changes" to a proposed deal.

"They asked too much and they offered too little," Carney said, adding that Canada would match U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar" starting Sept. 8.

Carney says U.S. 'asked too much and offered too little' after trade talks fall apart

Carney also vowed federal support for businesses in sector affected by the U.S. tariffs.

"And we will support these businesses for as long as it takes. In other words, beyond the life of this U.S. administration," Carney said.

B.C. businesses face disproportionate impact

Among the products targeted for new U.S. tariffs is salt, something the Vancouver Island Sea Salt company is concerned about.

Owner Scott Gibson said about 20 per cent of the company's revenue comes from the U.S.

"We will be affected if this lasts over the next several months," he said.

"In the short term, anticipating this we have increased our stock levels in the U.S market significantly as a buffer."

British Columbia faces the highest exposure of any Canadian province to the new tariffs.

Items under tariff threat, most notably wood and paper, represent more than 13 per cent of the province’s total exports to the United States, which is higher than any other province.

Data from the provincial government shows that 51 per cent of B.C.'s exports in 2025 went to the U.S., a drop form 54 per cent in 2023.

More than half of those exports were for wood, pulp and paper, metallic mineral and energy products.

Gibson said the new tariffs are another reminder about the importance of buying Canadian.

"We’ve got the largest coastline in the world, and yet, most people enjoy imported sea salt," he said.

"There’s still a lot of room for Canadians to take up local sea salt and that will hopefully buffer the loss in any U.S. if an agreement can’t be met."