\u2018Indefensible\u2019: B.C. Premier Eby responds to collapsed Canada-U.S. trade talks<\/p>\n
Published 12:16 pm Saturday, August 22, 2026<\/p>\n
B.C. Premier David Eby worked to reassure British Columbians that Canada will stand strong against U.S. tariffs after a potential trade deal collapsed.<\/p>\n
Eby held a press conference Saturday (Aug. 22) in Vancouver to address the collapsed Canada-U.S. trade talks. He called the incoming U.S. tariffs \u201cinexplicable and indefensible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said many British Columbians woke up to the news Saturday of the latest in the Canada-U.S. trade war. The premier said he hesitated to call the talks a negotiation. <\/p>\n
The latest trade talks, Eby said, really revealed the true nature of what Americans are seeking in terms of relationship with Canada.<\/p>\n
However, he said the current U.S. administration \u201ccannot be trusted.\u201d Eby added that even if an agreement was signed, there\u2019s no guarantee it could last. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo deal is better than a bad deal,\u201d Eby said, noting that he\u2019s heard that from his colleagues. <\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement late Friday, explaining the new tariffs and why the federal government is walking away from a bad deal and what comes next.<\/p>\n
Carney said Canada\u2019s tariffs will be concentrated in sectors such as steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics. <\/p>\n
The statement says the tariffs will also include products currently subject to \u201cthe unjustified Section 232 and 338 tariffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn short, they asked too much and offered too little.\u201d <\/p>\n
Canada will be matching the United States\u2019 new tariffs dollar-for-dollar. The tariffs are set to come into force the Tuesday after Labour Day, with further details to come. <\/p>\n
Eby said U.S. alcohol products will still not be returning to B.C. Liquor Store shelves. <\/p>\n
That move from B.C. to remove U.S. alcohol products from government stores appeared to be a sticking point with the United States, with the White House specifically mentioning it when the tariffs were first announced.<\/p>\n