U.S. trade demands aimed to reduce Canada to ’51st state,’ B.C. premier says

B.C. Premier David Eby told a Saturday news conference that the province is in full support of Canada's counter-measures to the imposition of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ethan Cairns

Simon Little (new window) · CBC News with files from Baneet Braich

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 Saturday in which he said that B.C. was set to be disproportionately affected by new 50 per cent duties on certain goods.

He said the proposed terms of the U.S. deal reveal the true nature of what the White House really wants from Canada.

The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries ... would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state, Eby said.

WATCH | Eby said Trump tariffs are economic attack on B.C. and Canada:

New U.S. tariffs an 'economic attack' on B.C., Canada: Eby

He added that the province would not return U.S. booze to liquor store shelves until it sees major changes to U.S. softwood lumber duties.

And he said further retaliation was possible, and that every possible weapon that can be deployed in this economic war was on the table for B.C.

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

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.

Canadian trade figures are based on slightly broader categories than the list of potential tariffed items issued by the White House. Therefore the data used to calculate exports may include some related goods not targeted by U.S. tariffs. Territories omitted because of small export values.

Photo: Statistics Canada(Graeme Bruce/CBC)

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

British Columbia is made-up of a lot of small and medium businesses, and these are the ones that just don't have the capacity or the resources to be able to deal with this significant amount of tariffs, said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

There are estimates that are starting to come out that tens of thousands of jobs could be lost across Canada and significant amounts of those in British Columbia if these tariffs are enacted.

Anderson said she's hopeful that trade talks will resume, but that in the short term, federal support for businesses must be an important piece of the conversation.

She added that the dispute underscores the long-term need to diversify trade with other markets.

The B.C. Federation of Labour said any tariff response must protect workers.

Our response can’t just be about protecting corporate balance sheets. It has to be about protecting people, president Sussane Skidmore said in a statement.

That means defending good jobs, investing in B.C., strengthening Canadian industries and making sure workers have the supports they need when their jobs or communities are under pressure.

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.