Maritime premiers — alongside Canada’s other premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — are hitting back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Trump signed an executive order Saturday evening imposing 25 per cent tariffs on almost all Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy products that come into effect Tuesday.
In response, Trudeau has announced counter-tariffs worth $155 billion, covering everyday items such as beer, wine, fruits, fruit juices, perfume, clothing and shoes.
Shortly after Trump inked the executive order, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston issued a statement saying it was “remarkable to find ourselves at odds with our best friend and neighbour.”
“We must ramp up our focus on finding new markets here at home with programs like Nova Scotia Loyal, focus on developing our own resources, eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers and, finally, of course, look for international diversification,” he said.
In response to the U.S. tariffs, Houston said Nova Scotia will “limit access” to provincial procurement for American businesses, as well as “look for opportunities” to cancel existing contracts.
Nova Scotia has also doubled the tolls for commercial vehicles from the United States at the Cobequid Pass effective Monday.
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As of Tuesday, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) will also remove all American alcohol from its shelves.
Meanwhile, in New Brunswick, Premier Susan Holt says her government will release its “tariff action plan” later Monday. Over the weekend, she posted on Facebook that the province “will use every tool in our toolbox to defend and support New Brunswickers.”
She also advised New Brunswickers to be mindful in their shopping decisions.
“I encourage you all to be intentional about your buying at the grocery store, and buying local and Canadian whenever and wherever you can,” she said in a Monday morning video posted on social media.
Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King has also announced the province will remove American products from liquor stores and limit procurement with U.S. companies.
“As the PEI Liquor Control Commission is the sole wholesaler for these products in our province, these products will be removed from the catalogue of products offered by the LCC which will mean that restaurants and agency stores can’t reorder or restock U.S. products,” King wrote on Facebook.
More to come