Monday July 28, 2025 | VANCOUVER, BC [Posted at 9:53 am | Updated 10:20 am]
Political news analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney is leading Canada in negotiations with the United States to get a new trade deal between the two countries.
The trade war was initiated by US President Donald Trump when he came to office this year.
Today BC Premier David Eby told media that he urges Carney to “not take a deal for the sake of taking a deal”.
That’s the same approach as ‘don’t take any guff’ from Trump, that Eby was saying a few months ago. No doubt the negotiations are complex, but it’s clear to see that Trump always like to win.
Why Canada tries ‘differently’:
Some observers might say that “Canada needs to understand its place in the world” and not expect a preferential deal.
But there are intangible things that Canada holds onto that the world needs: our innate sense of fairness, compassion and peace. These are not quantifiable in a trade negotiation but it’s likely why Carney is trying to carve out something special for Canada.
Canada in trade negotiations:
Carney has indicated that approach in political statements but in reality he has already easily relinquished the Digital Services Tax, as one example where things might go sideways for Canada. This also comes into light today in the wake of yesterday’s announcement that the European Union agreed to a 15% tariff across the boar (compared to the complex detailed negotiations that Canada is attempting with the US).
Eby does not see increased defence spending as a capitulation to US demands, Eby says the promised increase in defence spending (to two percent by the end of March 2026 and presumably to five percent by 2035) as something Canada needs to do for sovereign protection.
“We can’t rely on the United States anymore,” said Eby, interpreting the US approach to Canada as “don’t count on us — we’re here for us, we’re not here for you”.
Meeting with BC MPs today:
Eby says he will be meeting with BC members of parliament (MPs) today to discuss how BC can “remain on the radar of the federal government”.
Eby says he has a ‘continual fear’ that BC is “not front of mind” for the federal government. He points to the geographical proximity of Ottawa to Quebec and how that likely leans to a focus on central Canada over the west.
Meeting with Premiers & PM:
Eby says he will taking part in a meeting of Canada’s Premiers and the prime minister coming up in September.
Continued action on the Ferries file:
Today Eby again reiterated his desire to see BC get equal financial support for coastal ferries here, compared to what the Atlantic provinces get from the federal government for their ferry services.
Currently there is a significant imbalance between support for Atlantic ferries (noting that they are run as a federal crown corporation) and for BC Ferries (which is a privatized corporation providing a service to British Columbians). See: East-west difference in federal funding for ferries
===== RELATED:
- Trump threatens to end trade talks with Canada over digital services tax (June 27, 2025)
- Eby on Carney’s trip to Washington: take no guff (May 6, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL | BC FERRIES