‘Mutually assured destruction’: Eby describes impact of trade war on both sides of the border

Canada’s premiers ended three days of meetings with a promise to remain united in the face of escalating tariff threats from the U.S. president.

Talk of unity was punctuated by pipeline politics Wednesday, as Canada’s premiers wrapped up their summer summit. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is not quitting her push for another pipeline through B.C., an idea B.C. Premier David Eby continues to resist.

“I’ll acknowledge some frustration that we have so many shovel-in-the-ground projects, with a small amount of support from the government, that would be ready to go,” said Eby. “And a lot of the discussion is around this project that does not currently have a proponent.”

The pipeline push comes as Canada’s former ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton – who briefed the premiers during their meetings – told CTV News that a trade deal by President Donald Trump’s Aug. 1 deadline is highly unlikely.

“It’s complex and it may take longer, and I think it probably will,” said MacNaughton.

While Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premiers all say a good deal for Canada is paramount to a rushed one, sectors like aluminium – already subject to 50-per-cent tariffs – are feeling the heat. In Kitimat, the smelter employs more than a tenth of the town, and protracted tariffs would spell big trouble, says Mayor Phil Germuth.

“It has the potential to, of course, be extremely impactful,” he said.

The trade war is taking a toll on both sides of the border. Places like Point Roberts, Wash., are being hammered by B.C. travel boycotts, which Eby has encouraged.

“It hurts my heart, because these are people that we welcomed to our state,” said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, during a Zoom news conference she hosted along with Eby and various Washington state businesses impacted by the trade war.

“But I understand where he’s coming from, and he has very few tools to do it.”

Eby also lamented the fractured friendship Wednesday.

“(It’s) a recipe for mutually assured destruction,” he said, describing the ongoing trade war and the consequences flowing from it.