B.C. bans all U.S. alcohol at government stores in response to Trump tariffs
Premier David Eby says the move was in response to tariffs and public sentiment
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats, alcohol from Canada's southern neighbour is now a thing of the past in B.C.'s government-run liquor stores.
On Monday, B.C. Premier David Eby announced the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch had stopped purchasing American beer, wine and liquor, and has removed existing stock from its shelves.
The government branch operates 198 liquor stores across the province and serves more than 36 million retail customers per year, according to the BCLIQUOR website.
Last week the province removed American alcohol that originated in so-called red states — which voted for Trump's Republican party — from store shelves.
"In the face of ongoing threats, including to Canada's dairy and lumber industries, we are expanding the list of targeted American products," Eby said in a statement.
Eby acknowledged that the move may be disappointing to some consumers, and encouraged them to try B.C. and Canadian products as replacements.
However, he said the move was in response to public sentiment.
"We have heard the voices of people in British Columbia who are justifiably upset by American threats - and want to see us take this step," he said.