British Columbia Premier David Eby said on Tuesday that he feels "sorry for Americans" as U.S.-Canada trade tensions escalated, while vowing American alcohol would remain off liquor-store shelves.

Eby Defends British Columbia Alcohol Boycott

Eby spoke Tuesday morning ahead of a three-day Council of the Federation meeting of Canada's premiers. His remarks followed President Donald Trump's announcement of fresh 50% tariffs covering Canadian alcohol, dairy and wood products in 30 days. Washington says the duties respond to Canadian restrictions on U.S. autos, alcohol and dairy.

"There is not a chance in hell that U.S. alcohol is going back on the shelf in British Columbia," Eby said, adding he was "proud of that."

B.C. banned U.S. alcohol at government-run stores in 2025 amid Trump's tariff and annexation threats, joining Ontario, Quebec and other provinces in a Canadian boycott.

"I feel sorry for Americans. If you can't be friends with Canada, then you almost certainly do not have a friend anywhere in the world. And that is a very lonely place to be," Eby said.

Tariffs Threaten Wood And Beverage Jobs

The U.S. listed nearly 500 product categories. Some directly reflect dairy disputes and provincial alcohol bans; others cover Christmas decorations, synthetic wigs and circular saw blades.

Eby said the tariffs would hurt B.C. families in wood manufacturing and alcoholic beverage production. "This feels like an increasingly desperate and flailing approach to relationships with our country," he said. "There is no reason to believe that this is the bottom in terms of where he is willing to go."

Province Looks Beyond United States Trade

He urged Canada not to "bow down to this president's attempt to put pressure on Canadians."

"The one way to embolden a bully is to capitulate. And I don't think we should embolden Mr. Trump, who clearly is a bully," Eby said.

Eby pointed to recent trade missions to India and China as B.C. expands non-U.S. ties.

The duties cover 5.2% of Canadian exports to the U.S., or C$28 billion ($19.8 billion) annually. The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce cited a 2025 B.C. government scenario projecting that a broader 25% tariff-and-retaliation cycle could erase C$69 billion ($48.96 billion) in provincial economic activity through 2028.