If you’ve been eyeing your usual bottle of Jack Daniels or Bacardi at BC Liquor stores, you might be in for a surprise.
In response to new U.S. tariffs, the BC government has directed liquor stores to stop purchasing and selling American-made spirits from Republican states, making it the latest move in an escalating trade dispute.
According to CityNews, the policy follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, a move Premier David Eby called a “declaration of economic war.”
If America thinks tariffs will crush the resolve of Canadians – they’re wrong.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) February 2, 2025
We will not roll over.
BC is stepping up to do our part by:
❌ Pulling US liquor off shelves
❌ Excluding US products from government purchases pic.twitter.com/xqaWYrfBLR
In retaliation, BC has halted all new purchases of American alcohol from affected states and removed some of the best-selling brands from store shelves.
Liquor store aisles that once held Kentucky bourbon, Jack Daniels whiskey, Bacardi rum, and Bulleit Bourbon now have signs urging customers to “Buy Canadian Instead.”
You’ll also find these products unavailable on BCL’s online site as well.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Whole Sale Operations division has also sent a message to all BC industry associations that certain products manufactured by US governed Republication leadership will be put on hold or unavailable for ordering.
The move has already caused some empty shelf space, though U.S. wines appear to be unaffected for now.
BC Liquor’s decision aligns with similar moves by Ontario’s LCBO, which has also announced it will indefinitely stop all sales of American alcohol products in stores, online, and through wholesale channels.
For BC consumers, this means a shift in what’s available at local liquor stores.
However, this also presents an opportunity to explore Canadian-made spirits and support local distilleries.
With plenty of award-winning craft distilleries in BC and across the country, there’s no shortage of high-quality alternatives to replace the missing American imports.
Plus there are also plenty of international options as well.
While the political and economic fallout from the trade war is still unfolding, one thing is clear—BC is standing firm on its stance against the tariffs.
Supporting local producers not only strengthens Canada’s economy but also ensures that homegrown businesses thrive in these challenging times.
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