Canada’s gearing up for a trade showdown as U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods kick in tomorrow, igniting a North American economic brawl. President Donald Trump dropped the tariff bomb on Feb. 1, claiming it’ll curb “illegal migration” and opioid smuggling into the U.S. After a 30-day delay—thanks to some Trudeau-Trump phone tag and a Canadian pledge to beef up border security—the levies are now locked and loaded.
From coast to coast, Canada’s leaders aren’t backing down. Here’s the playbook—national and provincial moves to punch back against Trump’s duties and keep the maple leaf flying high.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn’t waste a second when Trump signed the tariff order—he fired back with a 25% retaliatory wallop on American goods. Day one of the U.S. tariffs, Canada’s hitting $30 billion worth of Stars-and-Stripes stuff, from beer and bourbon to apples and appliances. Three weeks later, the gloves really come off with tariffs on another $125 billion—think furniture, sports gear, lumber, and plastics. It’s a coast-to-coast “sorry, not sorry” to Uncle Sam.
Ontario: Booze Ban and a Musk Snub
Premier Doug Ford’s turning the taps off American liquor at Ontario’s LCBO stores, yanking nearly $1 billion in U.S. booze from shelves and catalogues. Restaurants and retailers? Out of luck restocking Jack Daniel’s or Bud Light. Ford’s not alone—Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Manitoba are also giving American spirits the cold shoulder. Oh, and that $100-million Starlink deal with Elon Musk for rural internet? Ford’s axing it faster than you can say “Tesla.”
British Columbia: Red States, Red Lines
BC Premier David Eby’s playing hardball too. American liquor’s out at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, with a special twist—no more buys from Trump-loving red states. Eby’s also nudging Crown corporations to ditch U.S. suppliers and go full Canuck instead. It’s a West Coast “buy local” flex with bite.
Alberta: Peace, Not War
While others swing, Alberta’s Danielle Smith is waving a white flag—at least for now. She’s pushing diplomacy over retaliation, posting on X that Alberta will sweet-talk the U.S. to ditch the tariffs. “No tit-for-tat here,” she says, vowing to fight economic countermeasures that could sting Canadians more than Americans.
Nova Scotia: Toll Hikes and Contract Cuts
Premier Tim Houston’s hitting American wallets where it hurts. Nova Scotia’s slamming the brakes on U.S. companies bidding for provincial contracts and eyeing ways to ditch existing American deals. Plus, U.S. commercial trucks? They’ll pay double at the tolls—a pricey “welcome to Canada” sign.
Canada’s not just bracing—it’s battling. From tariffs to boycotts, the Great White North’s ready to slug it out in this cross-border clash.