Why Canada and Mexico Must Pull U.S. Products to Fight Trump’s Tariffs
This decisive action, spearheaded by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)—one of the world’s largest alcohol buyers—marks a critical stand against what many see as economic bullying from the south. Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared, “As of today, every single one of these products is off the shelves,” emphasizing the province’s $1 billion annual U.S. alcohol sales now halted.
The LCBO’s role as the exclusive wholesaler in Ontario ensures bars, restaurants, and retailers can no longer restock American spirits, signaling a unified economic pushback.
This move follows Trump’s tariffs, effective since Tuesday, which target Canadian imports amid his broader trade war rhetoric. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Trump of orchestrating “a total collapse of the Canadian economy” through these levies, suggesting a sinister motive to weaken Canada for potential annexation—a claim reinforced by Trump’s repeated, provocative remarks about making Canada the 51st state.
Canada’s Foreign Minister has labeled these statements “very serious,” reflecting a national alarm that the U.S. establishment narrative—framing tariffs as mere economic strategy—obscures a deeper geopolitical agenda.
From our perspective, Canada and Mexico’s retaliation is not only justified but necessary.
Trump’s tariffs, initially delayed after border security promises but enacted this week, disrupt decades of tariff-free spirits trade, a cornerstone of North American economic harmony. The LCBO’s action, echoed by provinces like Nova Scotia and British Columbia, which are also removing U.S. products, counters this aggression with a proportional, if not overdue, response.
Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting has called this “worse than a tariff,” lamenting lost sales, but his complaint rings hollow when viewed against the $155 billion in Canadian retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Why should Canada absorb economic hits quietly when the U.S. imposes unilateral penalties?
The establishment narrative—pushed by U.S. business leaders like Whiting—frames this as an overreaction, arguing it harms American jobs, particularly in Kentucky’s $9 billion bourbon industry.
Yet, this overlooks the asymmetry: Canada’s move targets a fraction of U.S. exports, while Trump’s tariffs threaten Canada’s $25.9 million liquor trade and broader sectors like automotive and energy.
Ontario’s Premier Ford, alongside leaders like Nova Scotia’s Tim Houston, has vowed further measures, including electricity export taxes, to match Trump’s 10% energy tariff. This tit-for-tat approach levels the playing field, forcing the U.S. to reconsider its strategy.
Mexico, too, should follow suit.
Though not yet detailed in provincial actions, the precedent set by Canada’s LCBO and others suggests a regional strategy. Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexican goods, alongside Canada’s, demand a unified response. Pulling American alcohol—brands like Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam—would signal to the U.S. that North American neighbors won’t bend to economic coercion.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. warns of 31,000 potential job losses, but this hinges on a flawed assumption: that Canada and Mexico should prioritize U.S. interests over their own sovereignty. Instead, redirecting consumer demand to local distilleries, as Trudeau urges with his “choose Canada” campaign, fosters self-reliance.
Critics might argue this disrupts cross-border supply chains, but the real disruption began with Trump’s tariffs, not Canada’s retaliation. The U.S. auto industry’s brief tariff pause for GM, Ford, and Stellantis highlights selective relief, raising questions about fairness.
Canada’s action, while impacting $965 million in Ontario imports, pales against the broader trade war’s toll—tens of thousands of jobs at risk, as Doug Ford predicts plant shutdowns within 10 days. This isn’t petty vengeance; it’s a strategic defense against a policy that Trudeau warns will raise costs for Americans too.
The establishment might dismiss this as political theater, but the sentiment on the ground—reflected in posts found on X—shows public support for standing firm. Canadians are embracing local alternatives, a move that could reshape trade dynamics long-term.
Mexico, with its tequila industry, has equal stake in resisting. Together, these nations should escalate by targeting U.S. luxury goods and tech, amplifying economic pressure until Trump relents. This isn’t just about liquor; it’s about asserting dignity against a tariff regime that threatens annexation under the guise of trade.
Jack Daniel’s Pulled from Canadian Shelves: Just Retaliation to Trump (March 6, 2025)
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