Trump trade war: Small B.C. businesses walk the line as more Canadians shun U.S. goods

A new poll suggests swathes of Canadians feel angry, betrayed, anxious and scared as a result of Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexation.

Despite being from East Vancouver, restaurant owner George Sui has an affinity for all things southern – including blues music, barbecue and bourbon.

“I like the fact you can taste all the subtleties, the char of the barrel, the corn, the grains and all the little flavours that come out,” he said while showing off a collection of 80 different bourbons at Memphis Blues BBQ, his Commercial Drive eatery.

The ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States – which began when the Americans slapped 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy, and 25 per cent tariffs on all other exports – has put a bullseye on bourbon in particular.

“It’s turbulent times right now. And we have somebody dictating things to the country and of course, everybody wants to show their patriotism,” Siu said when asked about people potentially boycotting the American whiskey.

With U.S. President Donald Trump referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” and making it clear he would like to annex Canada, these are turbulent times indeed.

The mean-spirited bluster and rhetoric coming from the White House has quickly changed hearts and minds north of the border.

A new Angus Reid poll shows many who once viewed America as a trusted friend and ally now see our closest neighbour as a foe.

The poll found 38 per cent of Canadians see America as a “threat to national interests,” while another 13 per cent say the U.S. is an “enemy” of Canada.

Only eight per cent of Canadians view the U.S. on friendly terms.

“I mean this is Donald Trump, right? He says what he wants to say,” said Canadian Sonia Kandola. “Yeah, it’s offensive. Absolutely.”

Dual-citizen Brian Stubbs believes Trump is using the tariffs as a distraction.

“I think the people in America are still really great,” he said. “I think they’ve just got a leader that’s a little bit mislead right now.”

Back at Memphis Blues, Siu knows the trade war could make bourbon more expensive and more difficult to source.

He also understand some of his spirit-sipping customers may be looking for alternatives as they try to avoid American products.

“When I sell out, I’m going to replace it and I’ll pivot to more Canadian whiskies, which I already started to do anyway,” Siu said. “I love rum as well, and I’ve started to increase the rum selection.”

And despite being named after an American city, he wants everyone to know Memphis Blues BBQ will always be a proudly Canadian restaurant.