Canada is a friend and ally; we want to get back on track: Eby

B.C. Premier David Eby says Canada wants to get back on track with the U.S. and this trade dispute will only make families poorer on both sides of the border. 

In a news conference Monday, Eby shared that through generations, Canada has shown the U.S. that it is a friend and ally with shared values around democracy and human rights.

“There’s lots that we can work on together and I am fully supportive of the conversations the Prime Minister is having with the President to try to resolve this unfortunate dispute that will only make families on both sides of the border poor,” Eby stated.

“They will only compromise prosperity on both sides of the border for Americans and Canadians alike, and will embolden those very countries that the President is trying to target as not playing by the global rule book.”

Eby said that the “absurdity” of allies and neighbours hurting each other in a trade war is leaving people “angry and upset,” a feeling he shares.

“I’m angry and upset that we’re being targeted in this way. And we are going to stand up, we’re not going to roll over, we’re not going to be the 51st state. And I know that at some point we’re going to get to that state of agreement again with the United States.”

Eby said he’s confident the relationship with the U.S. will be repaired but, in the meantime, he is focused on diversifying B.C.’s economy and looking for other markets for its critical minerals.

“Right now, major firms and British Columbia are in the process of redirecting their critical minerals, their energy products, to markets outside the United States to respond to the tariff threat,” he shared.

Eby was steadfast in that the retaliations are not intended to punish everyday American citizens.

“This is in response to tariffs that have been put on by the United States, and there is just no way that that gives Americans more affordable groceries, a more prosperous future, or a more efficient industry,” he added.

“But it is what B.C. firms will do.”

B.C. ‘no longer looking at Starlink’ for infrastructure project

Eby shared on Monday that his government has already issued letters of direction to the province’s Crown corporations prohibiting contracts of major projects going to American firms.

“We have a trade agreement with the United States that prevents us from putting a rule like that in place, but when the President rips up that trade agreement, says it doesn’t apply, and puts 25 per cent tariffs, the only response for British Columbians, is for our public money, just like our money at the grocery store, it’s going to go to countries that support and recognize our sovereignty,” Eby explained.

“It’s going to go to Canada first, wherever we can, and we’re going to ensure that we’re doing those things.”

B.C. had previously been looking to Elon Musk-owned Starlink to connect some rural communities to high-speed internet, but Eby confirmed Monday that is no longer the case.

“I think that’s unfortunate. That makes everybody worse off, but the reality is that we will not sell out our province to companies that are endorsing and supporting an economic attack on our families,” he said.

“We can’t do it, and this is a fight we don’t want. We don’t want this fight. I hope the President, the prime minister, come to terms on this as quickly as possible. But the fight has been brought to us, and we’re going to stand up for B.C.”

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