B.C. pulls U.S. red-state liquor off shelves in response to Trump tariffs
B.C. stores will pull U.S. liquor from red states off shelves effective immediately in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
Premier David Eby announced the measures on Tuesday, along with a stern response to Trump’s decision.
“We didn’t ask for this fight the president has brought to Canada and to British Columbia. I’ll tell you this — we’re not going to shrink from it,” stated Eby.
He added that B.C. Liquor Stores will not be ordering “any more” products from U.S. red states.
This is something Eby had implemented earlier in February but held off on after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 30-day pause on the tariffs at the time.
Trump’s government went ahead with implementing 25 per cent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, except energy, which will be subject to 10 per cent tariffs, on Tuesday morning.
David Eby speaking to reporters about B.C.’s response to U.S. tariffs on Canada. (BC Government/Flickr)
“Here at home, the government, including Crown corporations and health authorities, will be buying Canadian first, then non-U.S. products,” added Eby.
“This is something that we can’t do ordinarily because of trade agreements with the United States. Finally, we’re going to make sure support is in place so B.C. businesses can pivot to global and domestic markets.”
In a press conference Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs against $155 billion of American goods, beginning with taxes on $30 billion worth of products immediately. The list of U.S. goods includes orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and more.
He says duties will be slapped onto the remaining $125 billion in American products in 21 days.
Grim economic prediction by province
The provincial government previously predicted that if Trump followed through with his tariff plans, British Columbia could see a cumulative loss of $69 billion in economic activity between 2025 and 2028.
The province added that its real gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by 0.6 per cent year-over-year in both 2025 and 2026.
Furthermore, 124,000 jobs could be lost in B.C. over the coming years through 2028, with the largest declines experienced in the natural resource sector export industries and associated manufacturing, as well as in the transportation and retail sectors. In contrast, the total number of COVID-19-related job losses by June 2020 — three months into the pandemic — was 235,000.
Vancouver stands up to tariffs through protest, lighting up landmarks
Vancouverites were also quick to respond to Trump’s tariffs. On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the U.S. Consulate General in downtown Vancouver. Many could be seen waving Canadian flags.
Protesters outside the U.S. embassy in downtown Vancouver on Tuesday. (Submitted)
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim also issued a response on social media.
“For over 150 years, Canada and the U.S. have been neighbours, partners, and friends. U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are an unjustifiable attack against our great country,” stated Sim on X.
He added that City Hall and the Burrard Bridge will light up in red on Tuesday night to symbolize Canada’s “strength and resilience.”
“The City has already taken action to strengthen our economy, support local businesses, and ensure our city stays competitive on the world stage,” he added, referring to a previously unanimously passed motion to ensure the City’s procurement contracts go to Canadian businesses over U.S. ones whenever possible.
With files from Isabelle Docto and Kenneth Chan