In a bold economic retaliation, multiple Canadian provinces have announced they are pulling American alcohol from store shelves in response to tariffs rolled out by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The move comes after the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, a measure that Trump claims aims to curb fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration.
Provincial Leaders Take a Stand
Leaders in Ontario, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia have ordered distributors to halt sales of American alcoholic beverages, advocating for local products instead.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was among the first to act, announcing that Manitoba Liquor Marts will stop selling American booze starting Tuesday, Feb. 4.
“Trump’s tariff tax is an attack on Canadians,” Kinew stated in a press release. “We support the federal response to these tariffs, and here in Manitoba, we’re stopping the sale of American products at Manitoba liquor marts.”
The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL), a government-owned corporation, was instructed to halt orders of American alcohol and remove existing stock from store shelves.
Ontario and Nova Scotia Follow Suit
Ontario Premier Doug Ford followed with a similar directive, announcing that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) would pull American alcoholic products from stores.
“Every year, LCBO sells nearly R18.9 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits, and seltzers,” Ford wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Not anymore.”
LCBO, the sole alcohol wholesaler in Ontario, will also remove U.S. products from its catalogs, preventing restaurants and retailers from restocking them. Ford emphasized the importance of supporting Ontario-made and Canadian-made alcohol.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston joined in, ordering the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove American alcohol from shelves beginning Tuesday, as reported by CBC.
Canada’s Broader Economic Retaliation
These provincial actions follow Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs on R2 trillion worth of U.S. goods, according to Reuters. The Canadian government has also urged citizens to vacation domestically and support local businesses as part of a broader economic pushback.
With economic tensions rising, this alcohol ban signals Canada’s firm stance against what officials view as unfair U.S. trade policies. As provinces double down on local products, American alcohol producers may face significant revenue losses in the Canadian market.