Some Ontario wineries say bring back U.S. wines, if it eases tariffs

Wineries in Ontario and the United States have expressed their support for bringing American wines back to Canadian shelves, as a way to alleviate the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S. Michael Kaiser, executive director of Wine America, pointed out that Canada is the largest market for American wines outside the U.S., especially for states like California, Oregon, and Washington.

However, the trade war has had a significant impact on both Canadian and American wine industries, with Canadian exporters expecting to lose substantial revenue if tariffs remain in place. Ontario wineries, for instance, have been able to benefit from the local consumer preference for buying domestic products, but they are concerned that the loss of American wine sales could lead to a loss of customer loyalty in the Canadian market.

If American wines were reintroduced on Canadian shelves, it could help ease the trade tensions and potentially even foster goodwill between the two countries. However, 69% of Canadians in key provinces still support maintaining the restrictions on American alcohol, which could be a setback for the American wine industry.