British Columbians are bracing for the expected onslaught of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday, with many worrying the already high cost of living will climb further.
Trump has repeatedly threatened reciprocal tariffs on all countries and across the board duties for Canada starting Wednesday.
But on the eve of the anticipated announcement, what will actually unfold is still uncertain.
Ravi Kahlon is the chair of the Tariffs Cabinet Committee, which was convened by B.C.’s NDP government in response to the threatened trade war.
He says the province has been preparing for Wednesday for weeks.
“We’ve been working closely with the federal government for the past month on reciprocal tariffs,” Kahlon said Tuesday.
“The goal is to ensure that we are having an impact on the U.S. but minimizing as much of the impact on British Columbia and Canada (as possible).”
Polling from Research Co., released Tuesday, shows strong backing by Canadians for a strong response.
For example, 70 per cent of those surveyed supported Canada shutting off all energy exports to the U.S . and 72 per cent for were in favour of suspending exports of steel, aluminum and wood until the threats stop.
“This is definitely something that shows the level of animosity that Trump has created within Canada,” said Mario Canseco, the head of Research Co.
If there are retaliatory tariffs Sylvain Charlebois, with Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, says grocery store items containing multiple ingredients will be the ones consumers notice going up in price – using pasta made with wheat from California as an example.
“I mean it’s mostly (products) at the centre of the store, the freezer aisle will also be impacted by that as well,” he told CTV Tuesday.
The Opposition B.C. Conservatives think the provincial government’s approach to the mounting trade war – including threatening tolls on commercial trucks heading to Alaska – has not been well thought out.
“That played out by Alaska saying, ‘Well then, cruise ships coming through here are no longer welcome’” said Bruce Banman, Conservative MLA for Abbotsford South.
“Who does that really hurt, it hurts British Columbians – especially when we need tourism,” Banman added.
Trump is set to lay out his plans Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET in the White House Rose Garden.
Trump has called Wednesday “Liberation Day” and says he will impose “reciprocal” tariffs by increasing U.S. duties to match the tax rates other countries charge on imports.
With files from The Canadian Press
