B.C. critical minerals, energy being diverted away from United States: David Eby
B.C. will also stop buying American liquor from Republican-led 'red states'
UPDATE, Feb. 3, 2025: Premier David Eby responds to 30 day pause on U.S. tariff threat.
B.C. Premier David Eby says major companies in the province are in the process of redirecting critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the United States, as he also warns Americans about what they will lose if President Donald Trump's tariffs take effect.
"Your house prices are going to go up. Your fuel prices are going to go up. Your electricity prices are going to go up," Eby said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
"For Pete's sake, why are we doing this? Let's get back to working together and focusing on areas of shared concern that we have around the globe. I would very much like for Canada to be working with the president on those things instead."
Over the weekend, Trump signed an executive order confirming he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian imports beginning Tuesday, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy products. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold off on levying tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days.
Trump made specific mention of B.C. in his executive order and its role in the "heightened domestic production of fentanyl."
Trump had cited the smuggling of the illegal opioid as the initial impetus for the punishing tariffs, along with the flow of illegal migrants across the Canada-U.S. border.
Eby suggested that instead of imposing tariffs, Canada and the U.S. should bring law enforcement and intelligence agencies together to address the movement of fentanyl across borders.
"Our hearts are filled with rage about the predators who traffic this around the globe," Eby said.
'We're not going to roll over'
Eby held a news conference Monday at a marine terminal in North Vancouver, which ships copper concentrate to Asia as well as minerals the U.S. relies on for defence and other industries, to demonstrate B.C.'s contributions to the global economy.
"It's [an] example of the kind of work that we're going to expand," he said.
"The absurdity of this, of allies and neighbours hurting each other has really come home to many British Columbians and Canadians. I know people are angry and upset and I'm angry and upset that we're being targeted this way and we are going to stand up. We're not going to roll over."
He said B.C. will work to strengthen its domestic economy and ensure it's diversifying its markets around the world.
Eby said he has spoken with leaders of major mining and refining companies in B.C., and they indicated they are pivoting operations to redirect products such as aluminum and copper to alternative markets.
He said a "historic reordering" of global trading patterns is underway, and British Columbia will not be left out.
The premier said the shift presents an opportunity for the province to "build allyship and partnership" with other jurisdictions Trump is targeting or threatening with steep tariffs, including Mexico, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Eby added that directions to avoid contracts with American companies in the procurement process for major projects have been issued across the provincial government and Crown corporations.
Boycott on alcohol from 'red states'
Eby also said he has directed the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch to immediately stop purchasing American liquor from Republican-led "red states" and remove the top-selling brands from public liquor store shelves.
When asked why Eby is particularly boycotting alcohol from red states, he said he wants to target the decision makers that are supporting trade action against Canada.
"We understand here in Canada, and I certainly understand here in British Columbia, we're tiny compared to the United States. You guys are huge. When an action like this is taken against our country, we have to fight smarter," he told FOX Report anchor Jon Scott.
U.S. tariffs could completely upend B.C.'s economy, with the premier previously saying the tariffs would hit harder than the 2008 financial crisis.
An estimated 54 per cent of B.C.'s exports go to the U.S., according to provincial figures, making it British Columbia's biggest trading partner.
Other provinces hit back
A B.C. government analysis released in January showed that the tariffs, if they lasted for the entirety of Trump's term until 2028, would lead to the province losing about $69 billion.
Other provinces, territories and the federal government have also launched their own countermeasures to hit back at the American economy.
Several provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, said all U.S. alcohol will be removed from store shelves by Tuesday.
The Canadian government has pledged to hit the U.S. with retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada. There will be an immediate $30 billion implemented on Tuesday, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days.
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With files from The Canadian Press