Just two days after President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada came into effect, he has paused many of the tariffs that would impact Canada.
Meanwhile Premier David Eby has announced new anti-tariff measures for BC that will come into effect once passed into legislation, despite the United States tariff pause.
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced counter-tariffs against the United States that will not be repealed until all tariffs on Canadian goods are rolled back, President Trump announced he would be pausing some tariffs.
Trump did this because many of his tariffs went against the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which his previous administration established.
When Prime Minister Trudeau announced counter measures this week, he also said that Canada would file charges against the United States through the World Trade Organization.
The White House still holds to the notion that the tariffs were established because of the flow of illicit drugs, namely fentanyl, that are coming from Canada and Mexico into the US.
However, less than 1% of fentanyl can be traced to Canadian origins, and that figure has been drastically reduced since Trudeau and Trump last spoke to negotiate new border protocols and the establishment of a Canadian ‘Fentanyl Czar.’
According to the White House, the tariffs imposed on Canada by Trump on Tuesday have been rolled back to the following:
- 25% tariffs on goods that do not satisfy USMCA rules of origin
- A lower 10% tariff on energy imported from Canada that falls outside the USMCA
- A lower 10% tariff on any potash imported from Canada
- No tariffs on those goods from Canada that claim and qualify for USMCA preference
Only around 36% of Canada’s imports to Canada fall are covered under the USMCA.
President Trump announced the roll back on tariffs against Canada after he had done the same for Mexico.
Though he praised the United States’ relationship with Mexico and President Claudia Sheinbaum, he was critical of Prime Minister Trudeau.
In a social media post on the platform Truth Social he wrote that Trudeau caused the tariff problem and falsely accused Canada’s Prime Minister of wanting to run for office again, despite Trudeau’s recent resignation.
“Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the Tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister. So much fun to watch,” wrote President Trump.
BC’s new anti-tariff measures
On the same day as President Trump pulled back from the tariffs he imposed on Canada earlier this week, Premier Eby announced new tariff-response measures.
According to the Province, the intention behind these new measures is to bring forward legislation that will defend BC, workers and businesses from Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and energy.
“The White House started a trade war we didn’t want, and we must answer with strength,” said Premier Eby.
“We are responding to this unprecedented attack with several targeted measures and in the coming weeks we will arm ourselves with even more tools as next steps to fend off a sustained economic aggression.”
The legislation Eby’s government wants to bring forward would enable the ability to remove interprovincial trade barriers, mandate that low-carbon fuels added to gasoline and diesel be produced in Canada and allow BC to apply tolls to US commercial vehicles using BC’s infrastructure to travel to Alaska.
“The tariffs imposed by Trump are a profound mistake and are hurting families on both sides of the border,” said Premier Eby.
“My team will continue to work hard every day to defend British Columbians through this and come out stronger on the other side. Every option is on the table.”
In a press conference on the BC legislature lawns, a heated Premier Eby took a hard stance against the flippant nature of Trump’s tariffs.
“I say, we don’t let up until the president takes the threat off the table,” said Eby.
Strong words from BC Premier @Dave_Eby when asked about US President Donald Trump pausing the tariffs on Canada until April 2nd… #CanadaUSTradeWar #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/4DxHTkm3Ix
— Paul Haysom (@PaulHaysom) March 6, 2025
These new proposed measures will add to the mandate that the BC liquor Distribution Branch stops importing or buying alcohol from “red states” and that all liquor stores pull red state liquor from shelves.
