British Columbia Premier David Eby said companies in British Columbia were working to redirect critical minerals to markets outside the United States, just a few hours before the announcement that U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are being delayed.
Eby said he had spoken with the leaders of B.C. mining and refining firms, who indicated they were redirecting products to alternative markets ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's initial pledge to impose the tariffs on Tuesday.
The president has said he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products, with the exception of energy, which faces a 10 per cent levy.
But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says "proposed tariffs" between Canada and the United Stated will be paused for at least 30 days while the countries work together on issues related to their shared border.
Trudeau's statement on X came after he spoke with Trump by phone twice.
A representative of Eby's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the pause shortly after Trudeau's announcement.
At a press conference in North Vancouver, B.C., earlier Monday, the premier said B.C. companies were in the process of pivoting to redirect commodities such as aluminum and copper to alternative markets.
"It is painful for them, logistically, to be able to make those shifts. But they are making those shifts because they have to," Eby said.
He said B.C. would not be left out of the "historic reordering" of global trading patterns that is underway.
Eby said the shift presents an opportunity for the province to "build allyship and partnership" with others Trump is targeting or threatening with steep tariffs, including Mexico, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
"We'll link arms with those other affected countries, we'll deepen our trade. We have what the world needs. We have the confidence to do it, and we're going to do it."
Eby noted B.C. has opened new trade offices in Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 18 months.
"We're going to continue to do that work. There is unlimited potential," he said.
Directions have already been issued across the B.C. government and provincial Crown corporations to avoid contracts with American companies in the procurement process for major projects, the premier added.
"This is literally billions of dollars in spending … that we are prohibiting those contracts going to American firms," he said.
Eby said the "only response" to Trump's tariff plan for B.C. is for public money to go to countries that recognize Canadian sovereignty.
"It's going to go to Canada first wherever we can."
Eby said "there's no question" both Canadians and Americans would be better off if Trump backed away from his tariff plan, but in the meantime, B.C. will be strengthening its economy and reducing its exposure to the United States.
"We're going to make sure that we have other deep relationships, trading relationships, so that our families are safe. We're transforming our economy to ensure independence and our sovereignty as a province and as a country."
The premier said his government would also make sure B.C. is never again in the position where it is "so exposed to the whims of one person in the White House."
Trump's stated rationale for the tariffs has been to exert pressure on Canada to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the United States.
But Trump also has cited the United States' trade deficit with Canada, which is based almost entirely on Canadian oil and gas exports.
He has said Canada could avoid the tariffs if it becomes a state and has suggested he would use "economic force" to make that happen.
"What I'd like to see? Canada become our 51st state," Trump said on Monday, before his call with Trudeau, adding "we don't need them for anything."
— With files from The Associated Press and Sarah Ritchie in Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2025.
Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
