B.C. Premier Eby bemoans 'chaos' and 'confusion' as U.S. tariff threat looms

British Columbia Premier David Eby says there has been "chaos" and "confusion" in trying to understand conflicting messages coming from Washington as the prospect of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods beginning Saturday closes in.

Eby said it's been hard to make sense of exactly what has been happening with B.C.'s "closest friend and trading partner," after a report emerged that the 25 per cent duties may be delayed for a month.

But U.S. President Donald Trump says he is pressing on with the Saturday start date. 

Eby said his new "war room" committee, which is tasked with responding to the tariffs, met Friday morning, and that provincial officials were working closely with business and labour leaders, as well as First Nations and other stakeholders.

WATCH | Eby creates task force to protect province from potential tariffs: 

B.C. Premier assembles ‘war room’ to protect local economy from U.S. tariff threats

1 day ago

Duration 5:28

Provincial housing and municipal affairs minister Ravi Kahlon is the chair of the new cabinet committee to protect B.C. from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats. Kahlon says the cabinet committee has a three-point strategy in response. He shared details with CBC's The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn.

He said the meeting included discussions about strengthening B.C.'s supply chains, reducing trade barriers between provinces and helping people buy Canadian-made products.

Eby told reporters on a video call that he hopes Trump listens to advisers about the harmful impacts of the promised 25 per cent tariffs, but that B.C. is "ready for the fight" if the president's plan goes ahead on Saturday.

"Obviously, this morning already we've had [a] morning of chaos and confusion in terms of trying to understand what is happening at the White House, the chaos there, the conflicting messages." he said.

He also questioned whether the uncertainty and chaos may "actually part of an overall strategy to destabilize key trading partners."

But rather than speculate, the premier said B.C. must prepare to support workers, families and businesses.

B.C. 'well-positioned' to attract new investment

Eby's comments Friday came shortly after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey held an annual meeting with the Economic Forecast Council for B.C.

Bailey said in a statement that she expects uncertainty and instability over the four years of Trump's presidency, but that private-sector forecasters have indicated the province is in a good position to meet the challenges of the promised tariffs.

She said the council consisting of 13 independent forecasters from across Canada say the uncertainty of "threats from the south" may make the budget process more challenging than usual.

But Bailey said the council told her the diversity of B.C.'s economy made it "well-positioned" to attract new investment and development opportunities.

WATCH | Potential tariffs make B.C.'s economic future unclear: 

B.C.'s economic forecast uncertain as U.S. tariff threat looms

5 hours ago

Duration 2:16

B.C.'s finance minister spent the day Friday meeting with top economists to plan for an uncertain future, as the U.S. threatens to impose tariffs on Canada as soon as Saturday. Katie DeRosa reports.

The council estimates that real GDP in B.C. grew by 1.2 per cent last year, higher than the province's projection in the fall 2024 economic update.

The Ministry of Finance said the council indicated that B.C.'s diverse export network and resource-rich environment give it an advantage over other provinces, and that some members were "encouraged" by the province's work to address housing supply, affordability and skills training.

In early January, the council forecasted real GDP growth of 1.9 per cent in 2025 and steady growth of two per cent annually on average through 2029, although the projections do not fully reflect the impact of potential U.S. tariffs.

The council will have an opportunity to revise its forecasts before B.C. is set to release its provincial budget on March 4, according to the Ministry of Finance.