Alaska’s state-level Republicans work to confirm their close ties with Canada amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and threats of annexation, with Alaska senators warning British Columbia’s prime minister, “You don’t want to be confused with Alaska.”
Republican Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan spoke in an interview with Anchorage Radio posted on his Facebook page.
During the conversation, asking about the topic from energy development to Ukraine, Sullivan, one of two senators representing the state in Washington, asked about legislation proposed by British Columbia that allowed the province to charge new fees for U.S. commercial vehicles heading to Alaska.
“I don’t know the Prime Ministers in different provinces, but it’s a bit of a dangerous game,” Sullivan said.
Under the bill, foreign-built ships are not allowed to carry passengers between two U.S. ports, and there is no stopover in a foreign country. The law aims to protect U.S. transportation interests, roughly the same as the Jones Act, which applies to cargo ships.
Many Alaska-killed cruise ships parked in British Columbia – mainly Vancouver, but also Nanaimo, Victoria and Prince Rupert, bringing considerable tourism revenue to the province’s economy.
Sullivan said he hopes to see the rule be repealed, noting that it was done when COVID-19 restrictions are in place.
“Canada, you don’t want to be confused with Alaska. If you do that, we’ll work hard to get around your port, which will greatly help our economy,” Sullivan said. “They’re playing dangerous games here and I hope they’re backing off.”
“We can’t imagine Alaska without Canada”
British Columbia Prime Minister David Eby said he has no plans to issue tolls at the moment, but he hopes Trump can escalate his actions to Canada.
“It’s not something we’ll do easily,” he told reporters Friday. “We know the consequences for Alaskas are huge. We want them to respond in a kind way. The trade war will only hurt people.”
He hopes that Alaskas will be worried about the consequences of the trade war.
“We need Alaskas to send a message to Donald Trump about the way we intertwined our connections between economies,” he said.
Rep. Chuck Kopp, Republican, on Friday afternoon Recognize and respect the relationship between Canada and Alaska, He describes it as “an affirmation of a strong bond of friendship, a shared history, a shared defense and support that bound our country to Canada for centuries.”
The Senate, sponsored by Republican Cathy Giessel, is also in progressing nearly the same Senate joint resolution, and he also opposes the trade war.
“Our friendship, trust and feelings for Canada’s neighbors extend to their identities as citizens of Canada’s sovereign states,” Popular Science said at a meeting on Friday. “We can’t imagine Alaska without Canada.”
KOPP and several other speakers highlighted the joint efforts to build the Alaska highway from northern British Columbia to Alaska during World War II, and the number of families and friendships across both sides across the border.
Also invited were Prime Minister Yukon Ranj Pillai, President of the Arctic Winter Olympics and several members of the Alaska Skagway Border Community.
Skyway Deputy Mayor Deb Potter called on politicians to “think of Alaskas on your party” and encouraged them to confirm the resolution that they are still traversing the house.
Kepo said he hopes that other major powers in the United States can hear messages from Alaskas.
“The temperatures rise between countries based on economic reasons,” he said. “The resolution recognizes that relations are important and much more important than the sometimes possible all-round dollar.”
