Eby’s Response to Alaskan Senator’s Threat of Bypassing BC Ports for Cruise Ships

British Columbia Premier David Eby asserts his support for the legislation allowing the province to impose new fees on U.S. commercial trucks bound for Alaska, despite a political showdown involving the cruise ship industry with an Alaskan senator.

Eby responds to U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s remarks by acknowledging that Alaskans would face significant consequences if truck fees were implemented, and he anticipates a reciprocal response from Alaska if such measures were taken.

While emphasizing that the decision to impose truck fees would not be made lightly, the premier encourages Alaska’s elected Republicans to address the tariff threats with U.S. President Donald Trump if they fear a backlash from Canada.

Eby’s comments follow Sullivan’s statement on Facebook about Canadian countermeasures to U.S. tariffs being a risky tactic and considering legislation or executive orders to allow cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports on Alaskan voyages.

The government of B.C. unveiled a bill granting the cabinet extensive emergency powers to respond to sudden economic threats and tariffs from the Trump administration.

Eby had previously mentioned that the bill would also enable B.C. to levy fees on U.S. trucks passing through the province en route to Alaska.

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“I understand that Alaskans might feel anxious about the idea of an additional charge on trucks going from Washington state to Alaska,” Eby responds to Sullivan’s comments. “But we need Alaskans to send a message to Donald Trump about how intertwined we are, about the connections between our economies.

“We don’t want to use this tool. We like Alaskans. We think they’re great. We like Americans. We think they’re great. They’ve just got a lousy president.”

Sullivan stated on his radio show that preventing cruise ships from halting at B.C. ports would result in substantial tourism revenue losses for Western Canada.

“Two can play this game.”

“Canada, you don’t want to mess with Alaska. And if you do, we are going to work hard on having our cruise ships bypass your ports, and that will help our economy tremendously,” Sullivan stated. “They’re playing a dangerous game here, and I hope they back down.”

Eby acknowledges that Alaska’s response to potential truck charges was anticipated.

“Trade wars only hurt people,” he expresses. “They don’t benefit anybody. This is our message to Donald Trump. It’s our message to all Americans. We don’t want this fight. We didn’t sign up for it, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to arm ourselves.”