3 days ago
B.C. Premier David Eby makes first stop on Asia trade mission in Tokyo
B.C. Premier David Eby touched down in Japan's Tokyo as part of a 10-day trade mission across Asia.
B.C. Premier David Eby has touched down in Tokyo, Japan, as part of a 10-day trade mission across Asia.
Running from June 1 to June 10, the trip will also see Eby visit the Japanese city of Osaka, as well as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Seoul in South Korea, in a trip designed to diversify and strengthen B.C.'s economy amid the ongoing tariff war with the U.S.
On Monday, Eby released a video to social media site X of himself navigating Japanese supermarket Seijo Ishii and perusing the goods that were for sale – a number of which were B.C.'s very own.
'I found Hard Bite chips right out of Surrey, B.C., and then Real Earth chocolates out of Pitt Meadows,' he said, holding up the packages of homegrown snacks to the camera.
'We've got the best food in the world, and it's right here, at just a regular store in Japan.'
In the video, Eby said he was embarking on his visit to 'make sure more B.C. products end up on the shelf.'
The store visit came after being welcomed and briefed by Canada's ambassador to Japan, Ian McKay, Monday morning.
Our province has some of the best quality products in the world.
Picked up some of BC's very own @Hardbite Chips and Real Earth Bounty chocolates at Seijo Ishii in Tokyo.
Our work to diversify trade overseas supports good paying jobs in BC. — David Eby (@Dave_Eby) June 2, 2025
Eby, who will be accompanied by representatives from B.C. businesses and research universities alongside Lana Popham, minister of agriculture and food, and Paul Choi, parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade, plans to discuss a range of B.C. products during his excursion, including softwood lumber and liquified natural gas.
'Our largest trading partner has become increasingly unreliable, so now is the time to expand international markets for B.C. goods and develop deeper bonds with other countries,' Premier Eby said in a statement released a few weeks prior to his trip.
'This trade mission is about showcasing all that B.C. has to offer, deepening our relationship with major customers, supporting good jobs here at home and building our province's position as the economic engine of a stronger and more independent Canada.'
Eby flew out Saturday, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will be doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent.
