Even with a 30-day pause in tariffs from the United States, NWT MP Michael McLeod still blasted U.S. president Donald Trump and his actions.

"I think all of us, across this country and in the Northwest Territories, were a little bit surprised," said McLeod during an unrelated announcement at Aurora College on Tuesday morning. "We were surprised to see the approach that the new president of the United States is taking."

Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from Canada, which is a fee on Canadian products entering the U.S. The tariffs were supposed to come into effect on Feb. 1, however Prime Minister Justin Trudeau managed to extend that by about a month after having what he described as a "good call" with Trump on Monday.

Still, McLeod said he's heard from many constituents who are upset at America's approach.

"Everybody felt that we had a solid partner. We worked on many things together and there's many things left that require us working as a team," said McLeod. "I've heard as recent as this morning from constituents that wanted me to be clear we're not going to put up with any crap from the United States. They're not going to come in and walk over us."

McLeod added that his advice to people has been to stay calm, saying the federal government has been anticipating these tariffs and premiers across the country have been working together to deal with some of America's demands.

"We've got a 30-day window. We can strategize more and many people want to get involved. But my advice is still to stay calm. Let's try to get an approach that works for everybody," said McLeod. "We're not here to give up our lands. We're not here to give up our waters. We're certainly not just going to give out our resources."

Whether the country does enter a tariff war remains uncertain, but McLeod did say that he expects the coming years will be challenging.

At a more local level, anyone ready for a tariff war might have a harder time than anticipated, especially when it comes to boycotting U.S. products.

On Feb. 1, Premier R.J. Simpson released a statement in response to the incoming tariffs which mentioned a review the territory's procurement policies to eliminate purchases from U.S. companies.

Seems simple enough, except that some companies in the NWT have ties to the United States, while still employing Canadians and selling Canadian products.

Territorial Beverages is one example. It's the main provider of Pepsi products, a beverage that originates from an American-based company.

But, if you were to ask Terra Weaver-Pagonis, the company's manager, she'd tell you their company couldn't get any more Canadian. The company started operations in 1978 and is run by the Weaver family, who have a long history of living and doing business in the NWT.

"We are probably the most Northern company here," she said on Monday.

That's the same Weaver family in charge of Weaver and Devore, another Yellowknife company that's also been around for generations.

"We couldn't be a more Canadian company than we are, especially being this far up North" said Weaver-Pagonis.

The products distributed by Territorial Beverages are made in Canada, she added, noting it's produced and bottled in Alberta.

Weaver-Pagonis said that people need to be informed, and not take what they see on social media at face value.

"We're hoping that the majority of the population, especially people from the North here, would understand that," she said.