Carney asks premiers to put U.S. alcohol back on shelves amid trade deal talks: N.S. premier

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston informed Canada's other premiers that Prime Minister Mark Carney has requested they allow U.S. alcohol to be sold in liquor stores again during ongoing trade talks with the United States. Houston made the statement in a press conference following Carney's briefing to all Canadian provincial leaders about the newly reached agreement.

Houston explained that while the issue has irked the United States for numerous reasons, it remains uncertain whether Canadians will actually purchase the alcohol once it is reintroduced onto store shelves. Currently, almost every province in Canada has imposed a prohibition on the sale of U.S. alcohol, with the sole exceptions being Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has yet to comment on Carney's request, though he previously criticized President Trump's aggressive approach to trade negotiations. Ford defended Ontario's ban on U.S. alcohol, stating that Trump is a "bully" who must be opposed. Earlier, Carney stated that the new deal strengthens and expands Canada's existing trade advantages with the U.S. Earlier this week, Carney and his counterpart from Quebec, Francois LeBlanc, met to discuss the details of the draft agreement following Trump's announcement of a three-day temporary halt on 50 percent tariffs set to impact various Canadian products shortly after midnight Wednesday.

LeBlanc did not offer many specifics regarding the draft agreement but confirmed that Canada's dairy supply management system would remain unchanged.