B.C.'s 'war room' minister leading tariff fight describes Trump team as 'bullies'
'If you give them an inch they're going to come back with a foot,' Ravi Kahlon says of U.S. administration
B.C.'s new "war room" minister tapped to lead the fight against potential tariffs coming from the United States is not mincing his words when it comes to his views on becoming a 51st state.
"Excuse my language, but eff that idea," Ravi Kahlon said Wednesday.
The provincial housing minister was speaking after Premier David Eby announced the formation of a "war room" over the looming trade war between Canada and the United States, with President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on Canadian goods coming as soon as Saturday.
A statement from the premier's office says Eby is tasking a new cabinet committee with co-ordinating a "whole-of-government" approach aimed at protecting B.C. workers, businesses and the economy against the tariff threat.
The committee is described as a "day-to-day war room," chaired by Kahlon.
"I'm a very proud Canadian," Kahlon said. "We live in the best country in the world ... that [joining the United States] is not happening."
Kahlon said the relationship with the United States has "fundamentally changed" whether or not the tariffs materialize, as the threat has underscored the need for Canada and B.C. to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on their southern neighbour.
"We cannot live four years with threats constantly coming from a Trump administration," he said.
"One of the lessons I've learned in my life is when you're dealing with bullies, if you give them an inch, they're going to come back for a foot."
Tariffs a 'direct attack on B.C. families': Premier
Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariffs are a "direct attack on B.C. families," and every minister has an important role to play in fighting back, Eby said in the statement from his office.
Kahlon said it's hard to speculate what might happen on Saturday.
"We have heard so many different things come out of the U.S. that it's hard to know exactly what they're thinking or what they're doing," he said. "The message to people is we're ready. We're going to respond as a country, we're united."
Canada's premiers met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a virtual meeting on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Trump's nominee for commerce secretary told a Senate confirmation hearing that plans are still underway to impose initial tariffs against Canada and Mexico in a matter of days, with the possibility for further escalation this spring.
Eby said Tuesday he thought there was "still time for President Trump to work with us," as Canadian officials have indicated a strong desire to address his concerns around the flow of illegal drugs and migrants from Canada into the United States.
But he said the province would ensure every harm inflicted on B.C. families by the tariffs is met and matched with a proportional response.
The statement from Eby's office said the province has a three-point strategy, which includes responding with "tough counteractions" and outreach to American decision makers, as well as diversifying B.C.'s trade markets, strengthening the economy by expediting projects and supporting industries and their workers.
Nine other B.C. ministers have been named to the new committee, including Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, Energy Minister Adrian Dix, Jobs Minister Diana Gibson, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Mining Minister Jagrup Brar.
With files from Katie DeRosa, Alexander Panetta and The Canadian Press