B.C. pauses retaliatory measures following Trump's 30-day hold on tariff threat

B.C. Premier David Eby announced Monday in a late afternoon news conference that B.C. would put a hold on planned retaliatory measures following U.S. President Donald Trump's 30-day pause on his tariff threat earlier in the day.

In the meantime, the premier said the government will continue to explore trade alternatives and work to strengthen the provincial economy.

He said the province will be ready to respond with anti-tariff measures again if need be. 

"We've got to prepare for the worst-case scenario even though we hope for the best."

These measures included removing alcohol from "red" or Republican-leaning states from the shelves of provincially-run liquor stores, ordering Crown corporations to avoid contracts with American companies and working with B.C.-based resource companies to divert critical minerals and energy away from the United States and toward other trading partners.

WATCH | Premier discusses difficulty doing business in the face of tariff uncertainty:

B.C. premier talks next steps after Trump pauses tariff threat

7 hours ago

Duration 21:38

David Eby talks about how British Columbia will move forward following news that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold off imposing tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days. The premier had already ordered U.S. alcohol off shelves and started diverting critical minerals and energy to other trading partners.

Eby said B.C. businesses and retailers have widely expressed an interest in labelling local products in stores, allowing customers to more easily choose local products. 

"There's huge interest on a voluntary basis to do this," said Eby. "And in order for it to happen quickly, a voluntary basis is the best path forward." 

In the next 30 days, Eby says government will identify substitute suppliers from Canada and around the world that local industry can turn to if the trade war resumes. 

Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold off levying tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days after Canada made a series of commitments to improve security along the border.

Trudeau says he told the president that Canada is pressing ahead with a $1.3-billion border security plan that includes reinforcing the 49th parallel with new choppers, technology and personnel, as well as a promise to appoint a new fentanyl "czar" to tackle the issue of illegal drugs on both sides of the border.

B.C. singled out by Trump, province ready to hit back

Over the weekend, Trump had made specific mention of B.C. and its role in the "heightened domestic production of fentanyl" as one of the reasons he would be imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods sold in the United States.

In response, Eby suggested that rather than imposing tariffs, Canada and the U.S. should bring law enforcement and intelligence agencies together to address the movement of fentanyl across borders.

WATCH | Eby announces countermeasures to U.S. tariff threat: 

Eby says B.C. will diversify its markets in response to U.S. tariffs

14 hours ago

Duration 1:20

B.C. Premier David Eby says his province will work to strengthen its domestic economy and ensure it's diversifying its markets around the world in order to reduce its reliance on the U.S.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also announced a pause on retaliatory measures to potential U.S. tariffs on Monday. 

Eby said regardless of what happens in the short term, the province's trade relationship with the U.S. has been changed and it will be seeking to diversify and strengthen its relationship with other countries. 

"If we can avoid these tariffs, we should," said Eby. "But we won't do so at the expense of our sovereignty, or of our integrity as a country, or of ourselves as Canadians."