BC pulls all US alcohol from province’s liquor stores

Serious, surreal and silly. Any of these work for describing the current relationship between Canada and the United States as President Trump continues to attack Canadians’ national identity while threatening to gravely damage businesses, families and industry on this side of the border.

The trade war started with tariffs, which serve as a tax paid by Americans on certain Canadian goods. The dispute expanded to citizen boycotts of US groceries and now a provincial ban on US alcohol.

American beer, wine, spirits and other beverages have been removed from BC Liquor stores and the BC Liquor Distribution Branch has stopped bringing any more into the province.

“We are taking this action in response to escalating threats from south of the border,” BC Premier David Eby said. “Most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump made new threats against Canada’s dairy and lumber industries – and there are reports he has been musing about redrawing the border.”

The symbolic move has the support of the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association.

BCRFA President and CEO Ian Tostenson sent a letter to members explaining what the decision meant for businesses.

“You will still be allowed to sell US-made products in your establishments for as long as you have a supply,” Tostenson said. “BCRFA is proudly on Team Canada and there is no better time to stand with our local brewers, vintners, and distillers than right now.”

Learn more about how the tradewar could impact your business. Register now for The Chamber’s AGM on April 15 to hear an expert panel discuss current US relations.