British Columbia Premier David Eby announced plans to impose tolls on commercial trucks transporting goods from the Lower 48 to Alaska. Eby said the British Columbia truck tolls would offset President Donald Trump’s erratic tariff policies on Canadian commerce while addressing the Legislative Assembly in Victoria.
He emphasized that the proposed legislation will impose penalties on trucks that use British Columbia as a transit route, among other responses. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy urged British Columbia to reconsider, emphasizing the need for federal-level solutions.
Dunleavy warned that unilateral decisions by provinces or states could complicate broader trade negotiations. Commercial trucker Robert Myers, a state senator from Alaska, expressed worries about the proposed tolls’ effect on the oil industry and perishable goods.
He pointed out that trucks are necessary to deliver expensive equipment and fresh goods quickly. Thus, these tolls are a big worry for companies. According to Alaska’s Department of Transportation, trucks carry necessities that need to be delivered immediately, even though most freight arrives in Alaska by sea.
The Alaska Trucking Association’s executive director, Jamie Benson, had serious concerns about the plan. She maintained that higher transportation expenses would cause supply chains to break down and drive up the cost of necessities for Alaskans.
Eby’s plan includes broader retaliatory actions such as reducing government purchases of American products and banning alcohol from Republican-led states. He also pledged to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and introduce rapid response measures against US trade actions.
Canadian provinces have already started implementing retaliatory steps: Ontario, Premier Doug Ford on a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the United States. Premier Ranj Pillai of Yukon imposed restrictions on US corporations competing on government contracts and ordered government liquor stores to cease buying from American supplies.
According to Pillai, some Yukoners have proposed prohibiting Alaskan athletes from competing in the Arctic Winter Games, imposing fees on vehicles heading to Alaska, and limiting President Donald Trump’s hunting excursions in the area. However, British Columbia truck tolls on the Alaska Highway might necessitate logistical and legal changes.
This news article was originally published by Alaska Beacon.
