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British Columbia Premier David Eby announced on Tuesday that the province is implementing measures in response to the 25 percent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on all Canadian goods exported to the United States.
In a strategic move, Eby indicated that the province would immediately remove liquor products from U.S. “red states” from government store shelves. He also highlighted efforts to prioritize local British Columbia and Canadian products in upcoming infrastructure projects as part of a broader strategy to support industries adversely affected by the tariffs.
“We want to ensure that the United States is aware of the repercussions of their actions,” said Werner Antweiler, a professor at the University of Economics. “We aim to inflict some level of discomfort because their decisions are impacting us directly.”
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Officials have cautioned that Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on nearly 1,300 U.S. products could lead to increased prices on grocery items, particularly for staples such as peanut butter, coffee, and orange juice, which are primarily imported from the U.S.
“In the future, we can expect to see similar price hikes for textiles and other consumer goods,” Antweiler noted. “This trend will also apply to bulkier items like appliances and industrial goods.”
B.C.’s salmon farming sector is particularly vulnerable, as a significant portion of its farm-raised salmon is exported to U.S. consumers. Stakeholders have expressed concerns that the tariffs could reduce demand by as much as 40 percent, potentially jeopardizing around 1,200 jobs within the industry.
As the budget announcement approaches, Eby called for unity among British Columbians, urging them to support local businesses by choosing local products over imported ones. He also encouraged residents to reconsider travel plans, suggesting they refrain from spending their vacation budgets in the United States.
Source
globalnews.ca