B.C. premier theorizes uncertainty created by tariff threats is part of Trump’s plan

The tariff see-saw continued Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks causing more confusion about exactly when a trade war might begin.

Less than a week away from the deadline for massive threatened tariffs to kick in, it’s still unclear if they will.

“The uncertainty that the president is creating – I believe – is part of the overall strategy,” said B.C. Premier David Eby Wednesday.

“This is actually a deliberate strategy that he has to weaken Canada.”

Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to indicate that 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian goods, which are set to take effect March 4, might be pushed back to April – if Canada’s steps to secure its border from the flow of fentanyl were enough. Still, he reiterated tariffs were ultimately coming.

“(The tariffs) will make it imposssible for them to sell lumber or anything else into the United States,” said Trump during his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Contributing to the confusion, there are multiple threatened overlapping tariff threats: Tariffs on all Canadian goods set for March 4, additional tariffs on steel and aluminum from any country March 12, and worldwide reciprocal tariffs in April.

“Nothing that we hear from this administration can be taken as credible,” said Stewart Prest, a political scientist at UBC.

“You have to assume that anything we hear at this point will be contradicted in five hours’ or five days’ time.”

To brace for tariffs, Eby says his government is considering legislation to remove trade barriers with specific provinces, in an effort to expand trade partners.

“The province could enter into bilateral agreements or agreements with a coalition of the willing with other provinces, where we’re willing to recognize each other’s regimes,” said Eby.

He met Wednesday with the other premiers and the prime minister, who he says relayed cautious optimism that beefed up border measures – like helicopters – may have persuaded Trump to delay tariffs at least until April.

“I don’t think anybody knows what’s truly in the mind of the president but the president,” remarked Eby.

Tariff deadlines have been set and postponed twice already in Trump’s first few weeks in office.