A US senator from Alaska has threatened to divert lucrative cruise ship traffic away from Canadian ports, despite efforts by state-level lawmakers to preserve cross-border relations.
Republican US Senator Dan Sullivan said he would work to repeal provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act requiring Alaska-bound cruise ships to stop in foreign ports, a move that could cost British Columbia’s tourism industry billions of dollars.
Alaska’s cruises have Canadian port calls in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Prince Rupert. Under the act, cruise ships must make an international stop when traveling between US ports.
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“Canada, you don’t want to mess with Alaska. And if you do, we are going to work hard on having our cruise ships bypass your ports, and that will help our economy tremendously,” Sullivan said in an interview with an Anchorage radio station, responding to potential fees on US commercial trucks traveling through British Columbia to Alaska.
Sullivan’s pronouncements, which sound like an attempt to curry US President Donald Trump’s favor, is a response to a legislative provision that would authorize British Columbia to impose fees on American commercial vehicles traveling to Alaska. His comments also come as Trump’s trade war with Canada intensifies.
British Columbia Premier David Eby appeared to downplay the truck fee controversy, telling reporters he had no immediate plans to implement tolls — just that he wants the option available should US trade actions escalate.
“We know the consequences for Alaskans are a big deal. We would expect them to respond in kind. Trade wars only hurt people,” Eby said.
Alaska’s state legislature breaks with Sullivan in its approach: it has moved to reaffirm friendship with its northern neighbor. Republican state Representative Chuck Kopp recently introduced a House Joint Resolution formally recognizing historical ties between Alaska and Canada.
“We can’t imagine Alaska without Canada,” Kopp said during Friday’s legislative session, where he and colleagues highlighted connections including the joint construction of the Alaska Highway during World War II.
A parallel resolution to Kopp’s is advancing in Alaska’s state Senate with Republican Cathy Giessel’s sponsorship, underscoring state-level commitment to maintaining cross-border relations.
“This resolution recognizes that relationships matter and are far more important than maybe the almighty dollar at times,” Kopp said.
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