Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened hefty new tariffs on Canadian goods next month, BC Premier David Eby criticized the latest salvo in the ongoing trade war between the two countries.
Posting to his Truth Social account in the late afternoon of Thursday, July 10, Trump posted a copy of a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing a 35 per cent tariff on Canadian goods entering the U.S. effective Aug. 1 and warning that any retaliatory tariffs would be matched.
Trump cited fentanyl entering the U.S., a supposed trade deficit and Canada’s supply-managed dairy sector as reasons behind the move.
These new tariffs are on top of the 10 per cent tariff already charged on Canadian potash and energy and 25 per cent tariffs charged on goods not subject to CUSMA, the successor free trade agreement to NAFTA.
“The letter is flailing,” Eby said to reporters in Kin 1 in Prince George less than two hours after Trump’s post and half an hour before the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games.
“It’s factually incorrect and other f-words do come to mind. It really underlines the importance of the work we’re doing in Canada to build a country where we’re able to stand on our own two feet, diversify markets and ensure that we’re supporting each other across the country.
When Eby’s NDP government passed the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act earlier this year in response to Trump’s earlier actions, it included a provision that would give the province the authority to levy a toll on vehicles travelling through BC’s highways or waters between the lower 48 states and Alaska.
Asked if his government is considering using this power, Eby said BC would be co-ordinating its response to the tariffs with the federal government.
“I will say, though, I was incredibly, frankly relieved to hear from Alaska leaders speaking out,” Eby said.
“Senator (Lisa) Murkowski saying how important the relationship is between Alaska and Canada, how closely we work together, how it’s mutually beneficial. Those are the kinds of partnerships and that’s the kind of support we’re looking for and we’re grateful that came from Alaska.”
Across the border to the east, Energy Alberta is currently looking into building a power plant with two Candu nuclear reactors near the Town of Peace River.
There’s an ongoing push to build infrastructure and natural resources projects at both the provincial and federal levels due to the trade war with the United States, Eby said nuclear power British Columbia has access to “firm” power from hydro and geothermal sources whereas Alberta does not.
“I think that one of the considerations that is put forward anytime we’re talking about generating new electricity, the key one is cost,” Eby said.
“What is the cost going to be for ratepayers? How do we minimize that impact on ratepayers while maximizing the power input. Our recent call for power with (BC) Hydro, with wind power and solar power projects across the province, every corner of the province, comes in at rates that are cheaper than rates were 15 years ago.”
The province’s current call for power is for those constant sources of power that are available when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, Eby said.
“Alberta doesn’t have those same opportunities, they’re forced into wildly expensive projects like nuclear and projects like natural gas,” he said.
As for other potential hydroelectric sites on the Peace River, Eby said he doesn’t think either BC Hydro or private proponents are considering that for the moment.
Special Olympics BC Summer Games
This year’s BC Summer Games is a big event for Prince George, but the city is already working on a bid to host the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
The premier said that British Columbia has a long history of hosting events like the 2010 Winter Olympics and some games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup next year.
“To have the 2030 national Special Olympics here would be a great honour for British Columbia, it would be wonderful for the local economy here in Prince George and it would be great for the economy, provincially,” Eby said.
“But most importantly, it’s a celebration that makes everybody feel good, lifts everybody’s spirit and inspires so many people. So, for all those reasons, I’m a very enthusiastic backer of the proposal and look forward to seeing how the province can help out.”
Moccasin Flats
On July 4, a BC Supreme Court judge reserved his decision in a court case around the City of Prince George’s latest bid to have the homeless encampment along Lower Patricia Boulevard, known as Moccasin Flats, cleared out.
Eby thanked Prince George city council for its partnership with the province in opening transitional housing on Third Avenue for Moccasin Flats residents and get the number of residents lowered before returning to court.
Wildfires
The premier was also asked about the possibility of establishing a permanent emergency operations centre in Prince George with wildfires ravaging parts of the province, especially northeast BC.
He said the province has put in a lot of time and energy to make sure there are resources in the north so that people are supported in an emergency and that his government is always glad to look at proposals that come forward about how the province can do better.
BC Ferries
Earlier this week, Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens issued a media release calling on the premier to use his powers to prevent BC Ferries from issuing a contract to a China-based shipbuilder for four new vessels.
“I want these ferries built in Canada, if not directly here in British Columbia,” Eby said in Prince George. “We didn’t have any Canadian shipbuilding yards bid on the contract. They are incredible busy with military shipbuilding contracts.”
He said that since he became premier, shipbuilding jobs in BC have increased by 39 per cent and his government has supported the industry by leveraging private financing to expand shipyards.
There’s an opportunity, he said, to work with the federal government on the additional military spending they’ve promised to meet Canada’s spending commitments under NATO and expand capacity in BC to build the next four ferries.
The premier also said that the opposition has voted against supporting BC Ferries and don’t support ferry users.
“We need the ferries now and so it’s a difficult decision,” Eby said. “It’s not something I’m enthusiastic about that they’re coming from China, but we’ve got to get people moving and I want to ensure that ships five through eight are build right here in BC or at least in Canada.
Eby said he would spend the night in Prince George and visit some local businesses and organizations in town before departing.
“I won’t be able to take in any of the Games, but I would like to wish my best to all the competitors,” he said. “We’re incredibly proud of the work and sacrifice you’ve made. I know families are proud too and I’m really excited to be here tonight for the games.”
He said his next trip up north would be to the LNG Canada facility near Kitimat in the next couple of weeks. That facility recently sent out its first two shipments of liquified natural gas.
