B.C. premier says U.S. tariffs would be ‘devastating’ for forest industry [Video]

A 25-per-cent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods would be “devastating” for the province’s lumber and forestry industries, British Columbia Premier David Eby said Wednesday ahead of a meeting with fellow premiers and the prime minister.

Eby participated in the virtual meeting to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose the tariffs unless Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the United States.

After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said unity among provinces and the federal government is critical at this moment, but a statement from Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused the federal government of being flat footed in the face of Trump’s threat.

Eby said before the meeting that the lumber and forestry sectors are already strained by a recent increase in duties amid the ongoing U.S.-Canada dispute over softwood lumber.

The tariffs are “unjustified,” and they would hurt Americans as …