Liquor Control Board of Ontario to ban American alcohol over tariffs

Donald Trump, sworn in Monday, threatened to impose 25% tariffs (new window) against Canadian products.

During a speech on Monday, Premier Ford reiterated his threat of retaliation from Ontario in the event of American tariffs, specifying that the Liquor Control Board of OntarioLCBO would boycott all U.S. alcohol products.

[Les États-Unis] will feel the pain.

The Liquor Control Board of OntarioLCBO will instead feature Ontario products, he says.

Mr. Ford says the Liquor Control Board of Ontario is the largest buyer of alcohol in the world. He did not specify whether the directive would also apply to grocery stores and convenience stores that sell alcohol.

Many Ontario consumers support boycotting American alcohol in the event of tariffs.

We must fight fire with fire.

For its part, the Ontario Microbreweries Association describes the boycott of American products as message fort. The group said in a press release that prices would have a devastating impact on its members, driving up the cost of ingredients and aluminum cans, in particular.

Uncertainty

So far, President Trump has not followed through on his threat to impose tariffs on Canadian products.

However, Prime Minister Ford is not reassured. According to him, the current situation only adds uncertainty.

He accuses Mr. Trump of wanting take jobs from Ontario and attract Ontario businesses to the United States. He is still more threatening than during his first term, supports Doug Ford.

Donald Trump is enormously different this time, because he has a very strong popular mandate and control of the Senate, Congress and the White House.

Mr. Ford revives rumors of early elections in Ontario (new window)repeating his message that he needs a clear mandate from the electorate to invest in economic stimulus measures, in the event of tariffs.

500,000 jobs at stake

Tariffs could lead to the loss of up to 500,000 jobs in Ontario, says Doug Ford (new window).

In retaliation, Mr. Ford has also previously raised the idea of ​​suspending Ontario’s electricity exports to the United States. (new window).

Daniel Tisch, President of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, urges the provincial and federal governments to collaborate with business people to highlight Canada’s strengths.

Tariffs only a threat for now, but Canada remains a targethe said. It is a wake-up call for governments and a call to action for businesses.

With the collaboration of Jérémie Bergeron and Philippe de Montigny