U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra emerged from a meeting with Premier David Eby saying the two had a “great” conversation, but offered few substantive details.
“I’m still smiling, and I think he is too,” Hoekstra told a group of reporters gathered outside the premier’s office on Tuesday (March 10) afternoon.
Hoekstra requested the meeting, but Eby said earlier in the day that he planned to use the occasion to push trade-related issues important to B.C.
Hoekstra wouldn’t discuss trade relations between the two nations — he said updates should come from the prime minister or president — nor would he comment on his remarks last July in Washington state, in which he called Canadians “mean and nasty” to deal with on trade.
“I probably shouldn’t talk about it,” he said.
A spokesperson for the premier called the meeting “pleasant and constructive,” and Eby issued a statement afterwards saying he and Hoekstra had a “frank discussion” about what it would take to make progress on the softwood lumber dispute.
U.S. tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood lumber have now reached 45 per cent.
Eby also asked Hoekstra to relay a message to President Donald Trump and Congress, urging them to allow western states to join B.C. on its recent change to permanent daylight saving time “so our commerce can be greater aligned.”
Hoekstra seemed doubtful this would be possible.
“I don’t know how we can get all of the states and the provinces all on one page,” he said.
Hoekstra and Eby also discussed putting U.S. liquor products back on provincial liquor store shelves, but no commitments were made.
The ambassador wouldn’t delve too deeply into that subject, even though it has been a sore subject for the Trump administration.
“American alcohol is an awesome product,” Hoekstra said.