After meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday, Premier David Eby confirmed that U.S. liquor products will remain off B.C. liquor store shelves, despite pressure from American officials.
Eby wants the Americans to ease duties and tariffs on the softwood lumber sector before relenting on U.S. liquor products.
“No ifs, ands, or bourbons about it,” Eby told reporters.
The issue gained renewed international attention after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the measures against American alcohol products “disrespectful” in Senate subcommittee testimony on Wednesday.
And this all comes amid preparations for the renegotiation of the 2018 Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, the main trade accord between the three countries. Countries are meant to decide whether they want to stick with the agreement by July 1.
One of the major sticking points for Eby is what he sees as preferential treatment by the U.S. for lumber from Russia and Europe, just as punitive measures are ratcheted up on Canadian softwood products.
“The reality is that British Columbians are pissed off about our industry being attacked, our families losing jobs for absolutely no reason, to prefer Russian and European lumber to Canadian lumber,” he said. “It’s ridiculous, and the liquor won’t go back on the shelf until that’s addressed.”
Interim B.C. Conservative Leader Trevor Halford called the measure against U.S. liquor “symbolic,” and said he didn’t think it would have much real impact on negotiations. But if it continues, he would like to see the province leverage the situation to benefit local producers.
“I think if you’re going to do something as performative as this, let’s take advantage and get some B.C. products on those shelves,” he said.
Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon said the B.C. government wants a resolution to these disputes, but that Canada “didn’t start this trade war,” and B.C. needs evidence that concessions will be reciprocated.
“The federal government has made concessions already, and we saw no movement because of those concessions,” Kahlon said. “We believe, from a provincial perspective, until we see some progress, we will not take this action.”