Premier of Ontario Doug Ford says he has asked the LCBO to remove American liquor from its shelves if Donald Trump imposes drastic customs tariffs as he has threatened to do.
Ford made the remarks to the crowd at the Ontario Rural Municipalities Association’s annual general meeting and conference in Toronto on Monday – the same day as Trump’s inauguration like 47th president of the United States.
“I have sent an instruction to LCBO that if these tariffs succeeded in eliminating all American alcohol from the shelves. Let’s start promoting more Ontario-made wines, vodkas and spirits. This is what we have to do,” he said.
“We are the largest buyer of alcohol in the world. They will feel the pain. I will make sure to communicate to our other prime ministers that they should follow suit.
Trump’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican exports stems from his demand that the two allies strengthen border security. Ottawa finally unveiled a detailed plan last Wednesdaybut Trump did not back down.
Trump threatened to impose these tariffs through an executive order on his first day in office. However, he would issue a broad trade memo on Monday that falls short of imposing new tariffs, a new Trump administration official said. said Reuters.
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This official confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that Trump will direct agencies to investigate and address persistent trade deficits, and address other countries’ unfair trade and monetary policies. The New York Times also reported developments in the situation on Monday.
It will target China, Canada and Mexico and ask agencies to assess Beijing’s compliance with its 2020 trade deal with the United States, as well as the status of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a the official told Reuters.
Ottawa and the provinces have prepared retaliatory measures if these tariffs were to be imposed. Global News reported last month among these, the LCBO would not be able to purchase American products.
The LCBO did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication.
Last week, Ford released estimates that 25 percent tariffs on Canadian products could cost between 450,000 and 500,000 jobs in this province, depending on the sectors targeted.
That could mean the provincial government will have to spend billions to stimulate the economy, a move Ford said it may try to do. frame an election around.
“If we have to spend tens of billions of dollars, we look to the people – let the people decide, it’s their money,” Ford said.
The premier’s comments that a recovery plan would require a new mandate through an election come as leaders of Ontario’s other major parties have indicated they may support the government on the measures anti-tariff measures without needing to go to the polls.
However, Ford added: “Nothing has been decided, let’s see where the rates go.” »
— with files from Isaac Callan and The Canadian Press
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