B.C. Premier Eby threatens to block U.S. access to Canadian minerals over Trump tariffs
Eby said Wednesday that the United States cannot expect mineral access if it continues imposing tariffs, as Trump added 50% levies on Canadian goods.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said Wednesday the United States cannot expect access to Canadian mineral products if President Donald Trump continues imposing punishing tariffs on other industries.
"We need to be frank with the Americans that they will not get the kind of access that they seek to what's in Canada if this is how the conduct is going to go," Eby said at a meeting of Canada's premiers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined Eby in taking a strong stance against Trump's tariffs. "Everything's on the table," Ford said. "We can't keep rolling over for Donald Trump."
Eby and Ford's comments came in response to Trump's announcement Monday that he planned to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods, in addition to the current 10 to 35 percent tariffs already levied on products ranging from potash to lumber. Trump has blamed what he calls Canada's "discriminatory treatment of American products."
While Trump is imposing tariffs on important B.C. industries such as forestry, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is actively meeting with mining companies and exploring opportunities to invest in Canadian mines, Eby noted. "We can't have a country on one hand attacking one group of families and workers while hoping to have access to the resources in Canada that the rest of the world wants," he said.
Eby also confirmed Tuesday that B.C.'s ban on U.S. alcohol products in provincial liquor stores will remain in place. Canadian alcohol is one of Trump's "trade irritants" and a target of the new tariffs because of this ban.
The facts
What did B.C. Premier Eby say about U.S. access to Canadian minerals?
On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Premier David Eby said the United States cannot expect access to Canadian mineral products if President Donald Trump continues imposing tariffs on other Canadian industries.
What tariff did Trump announce on Canadian goods?
On Monday, July 20, 2026, President Trump announced an additional 50 percent tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods, on top of existing 10 to 35 percent tariffs on products including potash and lumber.
Is B.C. keeping its ban on U.S. alcohol in provincial liquor stores?
Yes. On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Premier Eby confirmed that British Columbia's ban on U.S. alcohol products in provincial liquor stores will remain in place.
