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B.C. Premier Eby says U.S. tariffs would be 'devastating' for forest industry

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Nov, 2024 03:08 PM

British Columbia Premier David Eby says 25-per-cent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods would be "devastating" for the province's lumber and forestry industries.

He made the comment ahead of a meeting with fellow first ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s tariffs would hurt Canadians and Americans alike.

Canadians must stand united. Ottawa must respond with strength.

We’ll never stop fighting for British Columbian families.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) November 26, 2024

Eby was scheduled to participate in the virtual meeting on Wednesday to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose the tariffs unless Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the United States.

Eby said the lumber and forestry sectors are already strained by a recent increase in duties amid the ongoing U.S.-Canada dispute over softwood lumber.

He said after the first meeting of his new cabinet in Victoria that the tariffs are "unjustified," and they would hurt Americans as much as they would Canadians.

It’s more important than ever that we stand up for workers in BC.

Especially as we look at Trump’s threats of a 25% tariff.

We’ve won some major battles to bring fairness to workers, but there’s much more to do.

We must ensure every worker in BC can build a good life here. pic.twitter.com/peaKjuMjrP
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) November 26, 2024

The premier said B.C. is a source of natural gas, wood products, minerals and other products that U.S. businesses depend on, and the tariff would hinder jobs and opportunities in the province while making "life more expensive for Americans."

Eby and Ottawa have called for a united front dealing with Trump's tariff plan, which he announced on social media on Monday.

Eby said B.C. officials had repeatedly raised concerns with Ottawa over organized crime and illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, in relation to border security.

"It's a priority for us. It has been for a while, we've written to Ottawa about it. Doesn't justify the tariffs, but it does mean that we can talk about those issues as well."

Eby said Trump's proposed tariff "doesn't make economic sense," and the measure is not necessary to address issues at the border.

The premier said he believes B.C. has a strong case to make for the tariff being "badly placed" if Trump's priority is to reduce costs for Americans.

"I think the premiers are unified," Eby said. "There are 13 of us plus the prime minister. It's a big group of people with different political perspectives, but on this issue of ensuring that we're protecting the people in our country from these unjustified tariffs, I believe we're completely in line on that question."

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