The premier of the Canadian province of Ontario has warned that the sale of US alcohol will cease there if President Trump proceeds with his plan to slap a 25% tariff on goods imported into America from Canada.
Speaking at the International ROMA conference on Monday (20 January), Doug Ford said he has told the Liquor Board of Canada to clear US alcoholic drinks off retailers’ shelves if the tariff threat becomes reality.
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“They will feel the pain,” he said.
Before he took office on Monday (20 January) President Trump said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
While he did not sign an executive order to this effect on Inauguration Day, he said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico could come in on 1 February and ordered federal officials to review US trade relationships for unfair practices.
In response to that threat remaining, Premier Ford said he has warned US state governors of Ontario’s response to such a move.
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By GlobalData“I’ve been on the phone every day with a few more governors making sure they understand how important the relationship is between Ontario and the US, not to mention Canada and the US,” he said.
“We are the number one export destination for 17 states and number two to 11.
“I said you’ve got to talk to your President because the first thing we’re doing is getting your bourbon. If these tariffs come in we will clear off every bit of US alcohol from the shelves.”
Ford, who said he plans to communicate his message to other Canadian province premiers so they can follow suit, said Ontario needs to start promoting its locally produced wine and spirit and an alternative to US imports.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said his country’s response would be “robust, and rapid and measured” if President Trump follows through with imposing tariffs on Canada, telling reporters yesterday (21 January) in Quebec that “everything is on the table.”
“Working in unison as Team Canada with business leaders, organised labour, civil society, indigenous leaders and premiers from coast to coast to coast, we are prepared for every possible scenario”, he said.
