B.C. Premier David Eby announced countermeasures against new U.S. tariffs, including banning liquor from Republican-led states and prioritizing Canadian goods in government procurement.
The move follows Trump’s order imposing 25% tariffs on most Canadian imports. The tariffs could cost B.C. $69 billion if maintained through 2028, particularly harming its forestry sector.
To reduce reliance on U.S. trade, B.C. will fast-track $20 billion in private-sector projects and expand international trade.
Eby also criticized Trump's fentanyl-related justification for the tariffs.
The worst case scenario here was complete capitulation. Chamberlain's appeasement policies didn't work and neither would bending the knee to Herr
Drumpf.
Now double down. Tariffs on Teslas and ban X (the everything app (f.k.a. Twitter)).
I would argue that the worst case scenario is that Trump's tariffs tank Canada's/Mexico's economies, at which point America can walk in and own all of North America.
Trump specifically wants Canada because we have a shit ton of potable water, the oil sands, and the Northern Passage through the Arctic (which is increasingly open almost year round).
Mexico gives him and his rich buddies a wealth of cheap labour, at which point America will likely lose almost every manufacturer to Mexico. It also provides a large segment of fresh produce and a smaller, easier-to-monitor barrier against Central American emigration.
I agree, but something has to give. It behooves the world to treat current version of Repubs as the 2nd 3rd Reich. Appeasement concessions is what they're looking for. As such, it's on Canada & Mexico to establish robust trade partnerships that don't include the putrid carcass of Uncle Sam that's being marionetted by that orange psychopath.
I’m waiting for Canada to reach out to Mexico with a diplomatic message of, “Hey, how about fuck our drunk cousin. We just work together and ghost that asshole.”
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Sheinbaum discussed the deep people-to-people ties, the strong trade and investment relationship between Canada and Mexico, and the importance of preserving North American competitiveness and prosperity. They spoke about the imposition of U.S. tariffs on both countries, as well as their respective efforts to enhance border security and combat the production and distribution of illegal drugs. The leaders agreed to continue working together in areas of common interest and to enhance the strong bilateral relations between Canada and Mexico.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Sheinbaum agreed to remain in close contact.
I'm glad Mexico and Canada are a united front on this, but I wish other potential targets would join in to hit the US economy hard and fast. The US can bully one or two countries at a time and probably has the economic momentum to come out on top. So this month it's Canada and Mexico but next month it'll be Denmark or Panama. But, if the EU, China, Mexico, Panama, Canada all implemented targeted tariffs within a week, the US would be forced to back down.
Wherever you are if you're a consumer outside of the US, I'd say give the US the BDS treatment right now.
I would be very surprised if there aren't a ton of calls happening right now between Trudeau and other world leaders.
Even if it isn't about simultaneous tariffs, we need to line up allies and trade partners. Repairing relations with India and China could be top priorities. I expect more announcements over the next 48 hours...
Mexico and Canada are our biggest trade partners, each alone outstrips China. We do not have the momentum to ride this out. Despite our monster economy, it doesn't take much wobble to fuck it all up.
Anyway, I sincerely hope this crashes America, hard and fast. I want Trump voters and sit-outs punished. I want shit to hit the fan so hard every conservative voter and Republican leader gets soaked. I want the end of the GOP, whatever I have to suffer.
At the local level, some authorities in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia will remove American liquor brands from government store shelves. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Sunday the Liquor Control Board of Ontario sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers every year.
“Not anymore,” Ford said in a statement. “Starting Tuesday, we’re removing American products from LCBO shelves. As the only wholesaler of alcohol in the province, LCBO will also remove American products from its catalogue so other Ontario-based restaurants and retailers can’t order or restock U.S. products.”