Premier Houston directs NSLC to remove all American liquor from shelves

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

Premier Tim Houston has announced that NSLC locations across the province will be removing American products from their shelves.

The move, announced in a statement late Saturday night, said these changes will come into effect Feb. 4.

The removal of American liquor products is part of Premier Houston’s response to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Since President Donald Trump took office in early January, tensions between Canada and its southern neighbour have only increased. That all came to a head Saturday when he instituted a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10 per cent tariff on goods from China.

In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on $30 billion in American goods beginning on Tuesday, with another $125 billion in duties following later in February.

Premier Houston said Nova Scotia will also limit access to provincial procurement for American businesses, looking for opportunities to cancel contracts, and double the cost of tolls for commercial vehicles from the United States at the Cobequid Pass.

But Nova Scotia is not the only province to target alcohol amidst the ongoing trade war. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the LCBO will no longer sell American products, of which they typically sell $1 million worth per year. B.C. Premier David Eby is also encouraging Canadians to boycott American alcohol.

The move will not only impact what can be bought in stores. Nova Scotian restaurants and retailers will also not be able to stock American products as they order their wholesale through the NSLC.