B.C. assembles 'war room' to push back against U.S. tariff threats

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Eby says 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.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's premier is assembling 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 Premier David Eby's office says he 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 Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.

Eby says 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.

The statement says B.C. has a three-point strategy, which includes responding with "tough counter-actions" 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 committee, including Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, Energy Minister Adrian Dix, Jobs Minister Diana Gibson, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Mining Minister Jagrup Brar, among others.

Trump has threatened to introduce 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods starting on Saturday, and his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters at the White House on Tuesday the plan was "still on the books" for that day.