Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has revealed plans to impose a retaliatory tariff on American alcohol products entering the province. Moe announced during a press conference in Prince Albert that Saskatchewan will implement a 50% markup on the price of U.S. alcohol sold to retailers, mirroring the tariff imposed on Canadian alcohol exports to the U.S.
The provincial government clarified that the alcohol levy will be collected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Despite the tariff, the province has no plans to remove U.S. alcohol from shelves, leaving the decision to purchase these products to Saskatchewan consumers.
In response to failed trade negotiations, Ottawa introduced counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion of U.S. goods and allocated $7.5 billion to support affected workers and businesses. Premier Moe expressed support for the federal government’s targeted approach to counter-tariffs, criticizing the U.S. for violating international trade agreements.
Moe affirmed that Saskatchewan will not support export tariffs on potash or oil, emphasizing the potential negative impact on jobs and the economy. He highlighted the importance of maintaining free and fair trade relationships with the U.S. and stressed the need for negotiations to reach mutually beneficial trade agreements.
The province is assessing the impact of the counter-tariffs on industries and consumer prices, particularly focusing on protecting jobs in sectors like steel and agriculture. Moe emphasized the necessity of returning to the negotiating table with the U.S. to secure trade arrangements beneficial for both countries.