‘We’ve been too dependent on the United States’: B.C.’s premier headed to China in hopes of expanding trade

B.C. Premier David Eby spoke to the media before heading to China in hopes of expanding trade.

B.C. Premier David Eby spoke with the media on Saturday before catching a flight to China in hopes of diversifying trade relationships.

Eby said this trip, among others to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, is part of a provincial goal to double international trade in the next decade.

“We want to double our international trade beyond where it is right now, outside of the United States, he said. “The U.S. has been historically a very good trading partner for us, but we’ve been too dependent on the United States.”

The premier called China B.C.’s second-largest trading partner, and said he and Minister of Transportation Mike Farnworth will be making stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wenzhou. Eby said his focus on this trip will be “jobs and opportunity for British Columbians.”

“We have lots of connections, people-to-people connections with China, 500,000 Canadians of Chinese descent in British Columbia alone,” he explained. “Those people-to-people relationships have gotten us through some tough times.”

Eby pointed to Prime Minister Mark Carney having “opened the door” for this opportunity to expand trade with China, and outlined that he’ll be “at the table” to discuss lumber trade, agricultural products, and “opportunities like tourism” that can grow B.C.’s economy at home.

When asked about specific projects he’ll focus on in his trip, the premier mentioned LNG Canada Phase Two, which he said is reaching its “final investment decision in September.” He said addressing any “final concerns” is something he’s seeking to achieve.

“It’s a consortium of four different countries, including China through Petro China ... It’s worth about $28 billion in terms of provincial revenue to pay for public services,” he said.

Eby says he’ll “provide as much information” about his meetings in China as he can when he returns, although he adds that some of these meetings are “a little more sensitive.”