The Yukon government is reviewing its procurement policies to exclude U.S. companies from bidding on Yukon government contracts, directing the Yukon Liquor Corporation to stop buying U.S. alcohol and encouraging Yukon residents to buy Yukon and Canadian-made products.
“I encourage local retailers to consider how they can feature Canadian-made products to help customers identify Canadian-made goods,” Premier Ranj Pillai said in his updated statement via the government on Feb. 2.
In a Facebook post on Feb. 2, Pillai said U.S. stock can keep being sold but won’t be restocked via the Yukon Liquor Corporation.
He indicated contracts with U.S. companies will be kept to a minimum.
While the Yukon government internally discusses possibilities on how to officially respond, Pillai has been encouraging Yukoners to buy local and buy Canadian in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that 25-per-cent tariffs are being imposed on Canadian products going to the United States, starting Feb. 4.
Pillai condemned the Trump tariffs.
In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Feb. 1 Canada will be retaliating with 25-per-cent tariffs on $30 billion in U.S. goods coming to Canada, effective Feb. 4.
Pillai said in a Facebook post that he supports the federal government's response to Trump's tariffs.
On Facebook, Pillai called the Trump tariffs an "insult to the friendship and partnership that has existed between Canada and the US for generations.”
“We'll keep working to strengthen our local economy, support our industries, break down barriers to interprovincial trade and build new markets abroad. The Government of Yukon will work with the federal government to make sure that Yukon businesses impacted by the Trump tariffs are supported,” Pillai wrote.
Pillai met with premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Feb. 1.
“We are united in standing up for Canada and Canadians against this blatant attack on our country, our economy and our sovereignty,” Pillai said in a statement from his office on Feb. 2.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned Canada becoming the 51st state.
Yukon government cabinet communications said work is being done to finalize specifics around the Yukon government’s response to tariffs, which is expected to be announced in phases.
A source knowledgeable about the Yukon economy told the News on background that Yukon exporters and Yukoners who buy U.S. items on Canada’s retaliatory list will be hit hardest first by Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s countermeasures.
A statement from Yukon government cabinet communications in response to recent questions from an Alaskan media outlet notes that the “United States benefits from a strong strategic, military and trading relationship with Canada. Canada has always been a strong partner and good friend to the United States, but we will not stand idly by while our economy or our sovereignty is put at risk.”
“Alaskans should know that the Trump administration's tariffs on Canadian goods will make life more expensive for them, and will be damaging to businesses on both sides of the border. These tariffs will make Canadian goods more expensive in Alaska, as higher costs paid by American importers will be passed on to American consumers.”
During an unrelated press conference last week, Pillai said the territorial Economic Development department is making sure it is "ready to engage" first with people involved in exporting from the territory to fully understand what the potential impacts will be.
Pillai indicated programs were underway with the federal government to potentially assist affected Yukon businesses.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
