U.S. Tariffs Miss Canada — But Newfoundland and Labrador Isn’t Taking Chances
Although Canada was spared from the latest wave of U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey is warning that the reprieve may only be temporary. Speaking at the annual “An Evening with the Premier” fundraiser, Furey expressed cautious optimism and laid out a firm stance on protecting the province’s economy, including keeping American alcohol off provincial liquor store shelves.
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Furey Urges Caution Despite Canada’s Exclusion from New Tariff List
While addressing CBC News on Thursday morning, Premier Furey described Canada’s absence from the new U.S. tariff list as only a “partial relief.” He emphasized that the country cannot afford to be complacent in the face of ongoing trade volatility.
“While we were all happy not to see Canada on that ridiculous billboard,” Furey said, referring to the display of sanctioned nations, “I still think we need to be reserved in that relief.”
He pointed out that existing U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports — including steel, aluminum, auto manufacturing, potash, and energy products — continue to strain provincial economies. The federal government and premiers, he argued, must remain vigilant and proactive in defending Canada’s interests.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Firm Stand: No U.S. Alcohol on Store Shelves
Maintaining Provincial Countermeasures
As part of the province’s response to ongoing trade tensions, Premier Furey reaffirmed that the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) will continue its ban on U.S. alcohol products.
“We look to diversify our markets,” said Furey. “We look to alter our procurement processes so that we’re securing what we can across Canada as opposed to the United States. But this has been incredibly disruptive.”
This stance reflects a broader strategy to reduce economic dependence on the U.S. and shift purchasing power to Canadian producers and suppliers, which Furey says is more important now than ever.
Demand for a Federal Relief Package for Tariff-Affected Sectors
Ahead of First Ministers Meeting, Furey Calls for National Support
Speaking before a virtual first ministers meeting, Furey said he plans to advocate for a relief package to support industries and communities affected by U.S. tariffs. He argued that any Canadian response must be proportional to the damage caused by these trade actions and must position Canada from a “position of strength.”
“We need to make sure that we have a position of strength, which we do as a natural resource-based economy,” he stated.
The Business Community Responds: Diversification is the Way Forward
Seafood Sector Seeks Global Buyers Beyond U.S. Markets
Newfoundland and Labrador’s business leaders echoed the Premier’s concerns. Labrador Gem Seafoods President Danny Dumaresque said that while the Canadian seafood industry escaped U.S. tariffs this time, the threat of trade disruptions remains high.
“I was pleased that we’d dodged a bullet,” Dumaresque told CBC News. “But there’s no question there is a global trade war raging.”
China’s recent announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on seafood products in late March only reinforces the urgency of diversification, he added. His company has already started looking beyond the U.S. to expand its international market reach.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me,” Dumaresque said, emphasizing that relying on the U.S. is no longer a safe long-term strategy.
Economic Uncertainty Grows Amid Global Trade Tensions
Markets Slump and Recession Fears Mount
Financial markets in Asia and Europe are already showing signs of strain, trending downward as global investors react to the evolving trade landscape. Economists are warning of a potential global recession, and Newfoundland and Labrador is bracing for broader ripple effects across industries.
Despite the current exclusion from new tariffs, Canadian leaders are preparing for continued economic fallout. For Premier Furey and local business owners, one thing is clear — survival and success will depend on economic self-reliance, smart trade diversification, and assertive policy responses.
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