British Columbia Premier David Eby has announced a series of retaliatory measures in response to new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing that the province will not back down.
“We didn’t ask for this fight the president has brought to Canada and British Columbia,” Eby said in a statement. “But we’re not going to shrink from it.”
Effective immediately, B.C. Liquor Stores will halt sales of liquor products from U.S. Republican-led states, and provincial government agencies—including Crown corporations and health authorities—will prioritize purchasing Canadian and non-U.S. products. Eby acknowledged that such measures would typically be restricted under trade agreements but emphasized the need for decisive action.
The premier also pledged support for local businesses to pivot towards domestic and global markets while ensuring that revenues from federal counter-tariffs—announced earlier in the day—reach those affected. “As a province, we’ll fill in the blanks wherever there is an area that isn’t being addressed by Ottawa,” he said.
Eby encouraged British Columbians to take a stand through their purchasing and travel decisions. “At the grocery store, buy B.C., buy Canadian. If you have a choice about where to travel, avoid the United States. Visit somewhere in Canada or elsewhere in the world,” he urged.
Describing the U.S. tariffs as a “threat to our sovereignty,” Eby framed the moment as an opportunity for national unity. “This is a moment for us to take an attack and turn it into a source of strength,” he said. “We are tough. We are resilient. We are exceptional.”
Eby concluded with a message of resolve: “Together, we’ll ensure that Canada remains the true north, strong and free. We will meet this moment with dignity and with courage.”
The premier’s response marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions between B.C. and the United States, underscoring growing economic and political divisions between the two nations.
N_Dj says
ALL that was expected from us was to secure our borders, no illegal crossing and no drugs over borders.
This Premier and the rest of his political party colleges, including Federal ones, owe Canadians explanation why did they choose the trade war instead of mutually beneficent action to secure our borders…
Being “the true north, strong and free” is a great phrase designed to be catching on Canadians’ patriotic feelings, but as a reality, we lost those long time ago with the current Government…
S Molten says
I am glad the BC Gov’t has taken this direct and firm measure. We cannot accept dictation from any other country, especially the USA since they have broken our trust with them.
To the writer above; the accusation that Canada isn’t doing its share of cracking down on the Fentinol and drug crisis is vacuous. The Government of Canada has not capitulated on the US border accusations because we are already taking firm action at our borders. Just look at the seizures, arrests, and detentions at our borders and their associated stats. Canada has been hard at it for years.
Another reason we did not give in to Trump’s ‘sales pitch’ accusation against Canada is because if we capitulate and agree to even the slightest adjustment on the Tariff situation, it would be ‘giving an inch’ to the US Government. That is a very dangerous precedent to set, now or ever.
Besides, Canada has all the necessary resources to stand self sufficient. We can build our own processing facilities to stave off the need for US refineries and timber processing and their subsequent costs and added Tariffs. We are very capable of doing it for ourselves.
IMHO