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British Columbia, Canada's third largest province, says it will no longer buy American liquor from red states in response to US tariffs

British Columbia, Canada's third largest province, says it will no longer buy American liquor from red states in response to US tariffs.

B.C. Strikes Back Against U.S. Tariffs with Immediate Countermeasures

B.C. Premier David Eby has announced swift retaliatory actions in response to the incoming U.S. tariffs, vowing to defend workers and businesses in the province.

Eby Condemns Tariffs as a ‘Betrayal’

Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Eby slammed the tariffs as a betrayal of the long-standing trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. and called them an "unprecedented attack."

“The Americans are bigger, but if we don’t stand up for ourselves, they will just keep coming back for more,” he said.

First Steps: Banning ‘Red-State’ American Liquor

As an immediate response, Eby directed the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch to stop purchasing American liquor from Republican-led "red states" and to remove top-selling U.S. brands from public liquor store shelves.

He also ordered the B.C. government and Crown corporations to prioritize Canadian goods and services over American alternatives.

WATCH | B.C. Premier Bans U.S. ‘Red-State’ Liquor in Retaliation for Tariffs

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The premier had previously pushed for retaliatory tariffs and export bans if the U.S. followed through with its threats, including a potential import ban on American alcohol.

Trump Confirms Sweeping Tariffs on Canadian Goods

The measures come as U.S. President Donald Trump officially signed executive orders imposing a 25% tariff on most Canadian imports, set to take effect Tuesday. A 10% tariff will also be applied to Canadian energy products.

Major Economic Risks for B.C.

The tariffs threaten to destabilize B.C.’s economy, with Eby warning they could be more damaging than the 2008 financial crisis.

A government analysis released in January projected that if the tariffs remain in place for the entirety of Trump’s term until 2028, B.C. could suffer economic losses of approximately $69 billion.

To mitigate the impact, Eby announced plans to fast-track permits for local projects and expand trade beyond the U.S. to reduce the province’s reliance on American markets.

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