Options for selling U.S. alcohol in Canada
“Don’t buy it. Let it sit on the shelves.” — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of 50 per cent by Aug. 19 […]
In early 2025, most Canadian provinces and territories removed U.S. alcohol from their shelves, leading to a significant loss of sales for B.C. wineries and a 81 per cent drop in U.S. alcohol imports. British Columbia and Quebec have been particularly vocal in refusing to reintroduce U.S. alcohol, resulting in an estimated annual loss of $200,000 to $700,000 for B.C. wineries.
However, Prime Minister Mark Carney urged premiers to reconsider and reintroduce U.S. alcohol back onto the shelves. Many Canadians would continue to boycott U.S. alcohol, with only 15 per cent opposing the prohibition. To move forward, all provinces and Ottawa should agree to sell some U.S. alcohol, with items bearing a prominent surtax reflecting the illegal tariffs.
This approach could help Canada avoid a repeat of the 1930s tariff war and its economic consequences, as economists warn.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
