B.C. premier visiting China to pitch LNG project as province’s ‘really big fish’

British Columbia Premier, David Eby, is currently in China on a high-stakes trade mission, aiming to secure investment for the massive LNG Canada Phase 2 project and dramatically expand the province's trade beyond its heavy reliance on the United States. This visit, which Eby calls a push for B.C. 'really big fish,' underscores a broader Canadian strategy to forge stronger economic ties with Asian markets amidst lingering trade tensions with the U.S. and a global scramble for secure energy supplies. The stakes are incredibly high, as the LNG Canada Phase 2 expansion alone represents a potential $28 billion boost in provincial revenue and could double Canada's liquefied natural gas export capacity. Eby is pushing for a Final Investment Decision (FID) expected this September, with Chinese state-owned PetroChina already a consortium member. This comes as China electricity demand is set to surge, making Canadian LNG an attractive option for its energy needs, despite China reliance on coal. The mission also seeks to counter U.S. tariffs hurting B.C. forestry sector and build on recent diplomatic efforts by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who helped lift some Chinese tariffs on Canadian seafood earlier this year. Premier Eby will cut his trip short to return for urgent discussions with the federal government on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for major infrastructure projects, potentially impacting the LNG venture directly. The success of this trade mission could significantly reshape B.C. economic future and Canada's role in global energy markets. Watch for the LNG Canada Phase 2 FID this fall and further announcements on easing trade barriers as Canada continues its push for global trade diversification.