N.L. to pull American liquor from NLC shelves at midnight in response to Trump tariffs

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation will pull American liquor from its shelves across the province effective Tuesday morning, according to Premier Andrew Furey.

Monday's announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump imposing 25 per cent tariffs on almost all Canadian goods. Retaliatory tariffs have been proposed by the federal government, but Furey says provinces need to be united in a response to Trump.

"As a consequence, we need to be responsive. We need to stand strong, we need to stand united, and we need to do what we can as a province to ensure that we are fighting for Canadians, fighting for workers across our province and across the country," Furey told reporters Monday.

"These are actions of a bully. And unless you stand up to a bully, you'll continue to be bullied."

The NLC website lists 288 wines, 141 spirits and three beers from the United States — which Furey said equates to about $26 million in revenue a year.

"We're foregoing that, but it's the right move given the attack on Canadians," he said. "This is a call to arms, if you will, for everybody to stand united in the face of this attack."

While American products are being removed from shelves, Furey said there is a line the province has to walk. American brands like Coors and Pepsi are bottled in Newfoundland and Labrador by local ownership.

For example, Furey said, one product being removed from shelves is bourbon made and bottled in Kentucky.

"Taking bourbon off the shelves will have a direct impact to bourbon manufacturing in the United States. Not only is that a direct economic and fiscal impact, but also carries a political impact, in a political source of friction," he said.

"Sometimes those are the ones that have the greatest impact."

Support needed from feds

Furey said the provincial government is also planning other ways to support businesses affected by tariffs, like a buy local campaign expected to launch on Tuesday.

Cost of living measures are also on the radar, he said.

However, Furey said the federal government also has a role to play.  A federal support package, for an extraordinary, event has happened before, he said — and hypothetically could happen again.

"Everybody doesn't want to use the word COVID, but there is muscle memory within the federal bureaucracy to meet this moment," said Furey. "Does it have to be equivalent? No, certainly not … but it has to be similar."

Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about the proposed tariffs on Monday morning and are said to be speaking again Monday afternoon.

Trump also spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Monday morning. The pair worked out a deal to delay tariffs against Mexico for one month if the Mexico agreed to reinforce its northern border with 10,000 members of its national guard.

But even if tariffs were rolled back, Furey says Newfoundland and Labrador still needs to look into expanding industries into markets beyond the U.S.

"I think the markets are out there. We're not going to find them overnight, but they are there to be had."

NDP Leader Jim Dinn said in a news release that he appreciates the steps Furey has taken to combat the tariffs, but says more needs to be done to help people with the current cost of living that could increase even more.

In a letter to Furey, Dinn called on the province to increase the province's seniors' benefit by 20 per cent and tie it to inflation while cutting tax on products like groceries and home heating fuel.

Dinn also called on Furey to reopen the House of Assembly to discuss the tariffs, but Furey said that won't  happen since there isn't a specific document to debate.

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