Calgary bar considers ditching American booze amid trade tensions

The tariff threat has triggered a wave of patriotism and an impulse to protect Canada with every purchase going forward.

As trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. have been de-escalated, for now, some Calgary businesses are taking matters into their own hands.

Steve Marakis, co-owner of Jamesons Pub, is preparing for the possibility of tariffs taking effect next month by considering removing American alcohol from his shelves.

“From what we’ve seen and what everyone else is doing, they’re avoiding buying American,” Marakis said.

“So, we’re looking at how we can help. And then maybe we can pull down our American products off our shelves.”

Marakis said replacing American products with Canadian alternatives would be a simple process and offer customers more opportunities to support local businesses.

“It’s not difficult to pull off the American product. And there’s lots of choices there for our customers as well, which I think they do want to support and do their part,” he said.

“Canada is our home.”

The looming threat of 25 per cent trade tariffs and 10 per cent on energy exports has created uncertainty for many Canadian businesses.

Keri Kettle, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Ottawa, said this kind of tactic is characteristic of the current U.S. administration.

“His MO is to make big statements and big threats,” Kettle said.

“That’s part of his goal, I think, is to create this uncertainty of this threat.”

Calgary’s Economic Development is proactively working to establish new trade relationships with other jurisdictions.

Brad Parry, president and CEO, emphasized the importance of diversifying trade partners.

“We are constantly going out there with companies, selling the city, not just for investment to come back, but opening up new markets,” Parry said.

Kettle says he expects in the short term, if tariffs were to take effect, there would be little impact, but that more Canadians will focus on buying local.

“It’s leading Canadians to rally around Canadian companies, Canadian-made products,” he said.

“Of course, that can be a luxury. But what I see is Canadians are choosing to buy more Canadian products.”