Keep the Booze Boycott in Place

A concession given for nothing is read as weakness, and weakness draws the next demand.

The Trump Administration is applying increasing pressure on Canada to end the boycott of U.S. alcohol, with the boycott cited as an impetus for the latest unjustified tariffs imposed on our country.

In response, some politicians and commentators have argued for the rescinding of those boycotts. Since the boycotts are the responsibility of provincial governments, those governments have the authority to lift them, while the federal government could, at most, exert pressure.

That pressure should not be exerted. Instead, all Canadians should stand together and keep the boycott of U.S. booze going.

The reason has less to do with the booze boycott itself, but with the principle behind it, and what maintaining it would represent. The underlying argument being put forth by the United States is that all of its allies should accept one-sided trade deals, where the U.S. can apply higher tariffs than are applied to the U.S. Further, the Trump Administration has made it clear that previously-signed deals like the renegotiated CUSMA that the U.S. President once praised as the “the largest, fairest, most balanced, and modern trade agreement ever achieved,” mean little and can be abrogated at will. Also, and unique to the Canadian context (though Denmark & Greenland could relate), is that the U.S. President has openly stated his intention to use economic force to annex Canada. All that he does in relation to tariffs on Canada must be viewed through that lens.

Thus, the boycott of U.S. booze represents the legitimate assertion of Canadian sovereignty, and represents Canadian public opinion, as evidenced by declining tourist visits to the U.S., the collapse in Canadian views of the U.S., and the fact that the Canadian electorate has rewarded leaders who push for a united, pro-Canada stance rather than the blame Canada stance some less scrupulous politicians and ‘influencers’ are drifting towards. It also represents Canada’s refusal to accept a subordinate status in which we make concessions for nothing while the Trump Administration inflicts economic damage on our country at will.

Rescinding the booze bans without getting anything in return would be a unilateral concession to a trade partner that has repeatedly shown that it views such concessions as weakness rather than kindness, and then punishes that weakness with further demands and further threats.

That’s why Canadians must continue to stand together, keep the booze boycotts in place, and build on our growing national unity to create a more self-reliant national economy.

Spencer Fernando