United in frustration, leaders from B.C. and Washington state came together Wednesday to send a clear message: Donald Trump’s trade war is doing real damage.
Premier David Eby didn’t hold back, calling the U.S. president’s escalating tariff policies “a recipe for mutually assured destruction.”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“The last time this happened was in the 1930s, and it led to global economic downturn that devastated the world economy for almost a generation. We don’t need to live that experience again,” Eby said.
“The cuts this time are hurting small businesses. They’re hurting families on both sides of the border.”
Eby says B.C. is feeling roughly 20 per cent of the impact from Canada’s retaliatory tariffs.
“Because of our unique geography, being on the coast, we do face additional challenges with tariff policy that other provinces don’t.”
“The additional steel and aluminum counter tariffs have an impact on us. It’s different than other provinces, and we need the federal government to recognize that and support us in supporting the entire country’s effort.”
Meanwhile, in Washington state, Democratic Senator Patty Murray says the fallout is hammering local industries.
And with cross-border travel from Canada down nearly 40 per cent year-over-year, Murray says places like Blaine and Bellingham, Wash., are being left hung out to dry.
“How are hotel towns supposed to keep their doors open when cancellations are up and 75 per cent of Canadian travellers are deciding they’d now rather go somewhere else?”
“If you want to understand the real cost of what is happening, come to Washington state. Talk to people on the front lines of this pointless, painful trade war,” Murray added.
One seafood restaurant in Blaine, Wash., for example, has reportedly lost more than $100,000 this year alone — due to both higher equipment costs and vanishing Canadian foot traffic.
Dan Tucker, with the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, says oyster farmers are especially feeling the squeeze, as many rely on Canadian-sourced equipment that’s now subject to U.S. tariffs — despite no American alternatives being available.
“The unpredictability of tariffs, even the threat of them, is causing volatility,” he said.
“All American Marine, an aluminum boat manufacturer here in the region, has seen copper pricing spike solely due to tariff speculation. Just the threat of tariffs has destabilized their supply pricing, making it difficult to budget and making it impossible for them to forecast shipping costs and other planning.”
Their message comes as Trump threatens to jack tariffs even higher — up to 50 per cent on dozens of countries starting Aug. 1.
Canada is on that list, though goods covered under the USMCA trade agreement would be exempt.
Eby, Murray, and other leaders in border-reliant communities are now urging governments to step in before more damage is done.
“It’s beyond clear we cannot entrust this responsibility to a president who is toggling economic policies on and off like a kid with a joystick. We have got to keep talking about this. Until more of my Republican colleagues get the message,” Murray said.
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