US Ambassador Claims a ‘Great Meeting’ with Eby

The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, had little to share after a meeting Tuesday afternoon in Victoria with Premier David Eby.

“It was a great meeting,” Hoekstra said as he left Eby’s office at the legislature. “We covered a whole range of issues that you would expect.... I’m still smiling. I think he is too.”

Hoekstra has at times stirred controversy, including by echoing President Donald Trump’s comments about the United States needing nothing from Canada, threatening to increase U.S. military presence in Canada if the country buys fighter jets made in Sweden instead of in the United States, and demanding an apology from the Globe and Mail over a column about Olympic hockey.

Asked about past comments that Canada has been “mean and nasty” to deal with, he said, “My view is I probably shouldn’t talk about it.”

Ahead of the meeting, part of a series Hoekstra has sought with Canadian premiers, Eby said he would focus on softwood lumber duties, the need for a stable trading relationship with the United States and co-ordination on making daylight time permanent.

The United States now charges a duty of over 45 per cent on Canadian softwood lumber, about half of which is produced in B.C. “We have worse access to the U.S. market than Russia does,” Eby said. “That doesn’t make any sense to me and I’m interested in hearing the ambassador’s perspective.”

He also planned to stress the need for a stable relationship on free trade. “It benefits Americans with lower prices. It benefits Canadians with the same, and also with jobs and opportunity on both sides of the border.”

Eby anticipated Hoekstra would have issues he would want to discuss as well.

“I expect the ambassador to be raising both my suggestion that Canadians not travel to the United States and also the American liquor ban as well as our move in terms of government contracts to reduce emphasis on American suppliers and find alternative suppliers,” said Eby.

“These are, in my opinion, reasonable reactions to how we’ve been treated by the Americans, and my sincere hope is the prime minister, together with the president, are able to stabilize our relationship so these kinds of measures aren’t necessary so that families are looked after.”

Leaving the meeting, Hoekstra declined to share details of what was discussed, other than to confirm that daylight time came up.

B.C. recently announced it is ending the process of changing the clocks twice a year. Western states wanting to make daylight time permanent, which would keep them in sync with B.C., are waiting for permission from Washington.

“I don’t know how we can get all of the states and provinces all on one page,” Hoekstra said.

Eby was not available following the meeting. A senior official in his office said the interaction was pleasant and constructive.

In an emailed statement Eby said the meeting was “productive” and “included a frank discussion around what would be required to make progress on the softwood lumber dispute and tariffs.”

“While Ambassador Hoekstra and I did not agree on everything, we both expressed our hopes for a positive outcome to trade negotiations between our two countries,” he said. “No matter what occurs between our governments, the Canadian and American people will always consider each other friends, neighbours and even family. While Canada’s sovereignty is not up for discussion, I will always look for ways to improve our trade relationships for the benefit of workers and businesses in B.C.”

The interim leader of the Conservative Party of BC, Trevor Halford, had advice for the tone Eby should take in the meeting. “Nothing he’s done so far has worked out for him, so whatever he’s doing he should probably do the opposite.”

Asked what the message to Hoekstra should be, Halford said: “That we’re going to fight for our interests. A fair deal’s a fair deal and we believe in free trade.”

Measures like removing U.S. liquor from B.C. stores are symbolic but insufficient, Halford said. “What I’m concerned about is protecting B.C. jobs and protecting B.C. interests.”

Ultimately the relationship with the United States is the federal government’s lead and Eby needs to resist getting sidelined, he added. “I think it’s a relationship we need to work on, and also we need to make sure that we’re aware of what the federal government is doing and how do we support that work.”