B.C. politicians on both side of the aisle planning how best to combat U.S. tariffs

“There is no way in heck we are becoming the 51st state,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s Committee Chair on U.S. Tariffs. “We are going to do everything we can to make sure that we are strong enough, that we are able face down any threats that come from president trump, his administration or anyone after him.”

The NDP have announced the fast-tracking of a number of energy projects as a first step in responding to the threat.

“So that not only is our economy stronger in the face of potential tariffs and maybe recession that will come with that, but also we are less reliant on the U.S.,” Kahlon said.

“We have strong relationships with Korea, Japan, Vietnam, many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, that is our strength and now is the time to leverage those relationships so we aren’t reliant on one partner.”

While he also said becoming the 51st state is not an option, Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar, a B.C. Conservative, also noted the government closed down trade offices throughout the Pacific, and hurdles remain even within Canada.

“In terms of inter-provincial trade, there is a 23 per cent tariff equivalent to B.C. on inter-provincial trade, the bulk of which is with Alberta. So the premier could initiative and actually get very quickly a free trade agreement with Alberta,” Milobar said.

“That would go a long way to offsetting the tariff threat, and if the tariffs don’t materialize, would actually help supercharge our economy so we aren’t running record deficits.”

The opposition also believes the government has put British Columbia in a bad starting position with past policy. They also note broken promises on things like the $1,000 grocery rebate at a time when Canadians are being asked to buy local.

“We are running record deficits, we have no fiscal ability to be able to adapt to the threat of tariffs. And so the NDP have a lot of ownership in the current state of what the economy in B.C. is actually like,” Milobar said. “What we need to see moving forward is a real plan around how to reduce overall taxation while still growing that economy.”

Currently Canada, along with other countries are facing U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. But regardless of whether or not the United States imposes other blanket tariffs in March, Kahlon said it’s imperative the province is prepared.

“Our relationship with the U.S. has fundamentally changed,” said Kahlon. “And I have said many times if you deal with a bully and they come after your lunch money, once they get the lunch money they are coming after the lunch.”

“Unfortunately in this situation the goal posts continue to move. And so we will respond, we have responded, we will respond in-kind to any tariffs that come in.”

by Michael Reeve

B.C. politicians on both side of the aisle planning how best to combat U.S. tariffs

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