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B.C. pausing all retaliatory measures against U.S. after Trump tariff pause

Click to play video: 'B.C. reacts as last minute deal puts U.S. tariffs on hold for now'
B.C. reacts as last minute deal puts U.S. tariffs on hold for now
The potential trade war between the United States and Canada is on hold, for now. U.S. President Donald Trump agreed Monday to put the tariffs on hold for Canada for 30 days. Richard Zussman has more.

B.C Premier David Eby said on Monday afternoon that the province is pausing all retaliatory measures against the U.S. now that President Donald Trump has put a ‘pause’ on tariffs on Canadian goods.

However, he said, this pause does not mean the work they have started to develop different and beneficial trading partners will end.

“That doesn’t mean that we will abandon our preparations for non-tariff measures if there’s a tweet tomorrow that puts the tariffs back on,” Eby said.

“Work that has been underway to strengthen our economy will only continue with greater enthusiasm and acceleration. We understand now, very clearly from the president, his intentions, which is to make Canada the 51st state and we know that our best defence against that is a strong economy where we can stand on our own two feet in Canada and British Columbia, not dependent on a single person in the White House and the whims that may come.”

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Click to play video: 'Work will continue to strengthen the B.C. economy, despite tariff news'
Work will continue to strengthen the B.C. economy, despite tariff news

Eby said the province will work to identify B.C. and Canadian products in stores. This announcement does mean that U.S.-made liquor will be put back on B.C. liquor shelves.

Eby said he wants to take Trump at his word to work with the Canadian government but he said he is skeptical that in 29 days the country will be back in the same position it is in now.

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He added that the province is working with business owners and local governments to diversify and break down inter-provincial trade barriers.

Earlier on Monday, the premier said that “major firms” around the province are currently in the process of redirecting their critical minerals and energy products to markets outside the U.S.

“This isn’t to punish the Americans,” Eby said. “This isn’t anything else. This is in response to tariffs that have been put on by the United States. And there is just no way that that makes Americans, gives Americans more affordable groceries, more prosperous future, more efficient industry.

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“But it is what B.C. firms will do, and we’ll support them in doing that to make sure they’re protecting jobs for British Columbians as we diversify our economy across the globe.”

Click to play video: '‘We see what the plan is here’: B.C. premier on difficulty budgeting as Trump’s tariffs still loom'
‘We see what the plan is here’: B.C. premier on difficulty budgeting as Trump’s tariffs still loom

Eby said there is no question that Americans and Canadians will be better off if the tariffs do not go into effect.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed that she had “a good conversation” on Monday morning with Trump, “with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty.”

In a post on X, Sheinbaum said the two reached “a series of agreements” during their conversation, two days after the Mexican president ordered retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. decision to slap 25 per cent levies on all goods coming from Mexico as a trade war broke out between the two neighbours.

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About the Mexico deal, Eby said while that is good news, it is only a one-month reprieve so far.

“What we’re looking at is the next four years of potential threats and tariffs and attacks,” he said. “And what has changed for so many Canadians is almost overnight is feeling like the Americans are our friends, to feeling like the president is out to get Canada and in particular to try to turn us into the 51st state.”

Click to play video: 'U.S. tariffs one day before they come into effect'
U.S. tariffs one day before they come into effect

Eby said British Columbia needs to make sure it has trading relationships with other partners and not rely on the United States so much.

“We have a reputation for being a chill, relaxed, kind of easygoing country,” he said.

“And I see Canadians get their back up and get some things done that threaten our sovereignty. And so we’re going to make sure that we’re never again in the position, certainly British Columbia is going to do this, being so exposed to the whims of one person in the White House.”

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