August 22,2025
RED FM News Desk
B.C.’s Jobs Minister says he was surprised by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada will lift retaliatory tariffs imposed on the United States in an effort to ease the trade conflict.
“It was a bit of a surprise to us,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs and economic growth. “It’s too early to say — to use a hockey analogy — whether this is about regrouping with the puck or pulling the goalie.”
Kahlon emphasized that the province has no plans to roll back its own retaliatory measures, including the ban on all U.S. alcohol in government liquor stores. “We’re not making any changes,” he said. “We don’t share the federal government’s level of confidence right now that the Trump administration will cooperate or play ball.”
Carney’s move is meant to “match” steps already taken by the United States by exempting tariffs on goods covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). According to Carney, this exemption removes tariffs on 85 per cent of Canadian goods that would otherwise have faced the 35 per cent U.S. tariffs imposed on Aug. 1.
Speaking to CBC, Kahlon added, “We have the best trade deal of anyone in the world right now. Our average tariff is just over five per cent, compared with the global average of 16 per cent or higher in some cases.”
Canada will continue to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, since the U.S. continues to target those sectors with its own tariffs.
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