Canadian liquor stores are poised to reintroduce American alcohol products following a series of bans imposed by provincial retailers in response to the ongoing trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite this, some individuals, including politicians and consumers, remain hesitant to embrace U.S. goods.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston revealed that Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged provinces to lift the bans on American liquor products. Kinew described Carney as strongly encouraging first ministers to comply with this request, indicating that the resolution of a Canada-U.S. trade agreement by the week’s end may be contingent on this matter.
“The prime minister expressed his desire for us to reintroduce American alcohol to store shelves,” Kinew informed reporters on Thursday. “While he didn’t exactly plead with us, it was certainly a persuasive request.”
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette mentioned that the possibility of rescinding the ban in her province is being considered, pending a comprehensive assessment of how the new trade terms between Canada and the U.S. will affect Quebec’s economy.
“We must take a holistic approach and thoroughly evaluate the impact on Quebec’s economy,” Fréchette explained to CBC News. “If the overall impact is positive, we may reconsider stocking American alcohol at the SAQ.”
A spokesperson for SAQ informed Radio-Canada that American alcohol is currently stored in warehouses in Montreal and Quebec City, and the process of reintroducing these products to store shelves may require some time.
Support Canadian Products, Urges Kinew
Kinew emphasized the importance of continuing to support Canadian products, even if American goods become available once more. He highlighted that his province has not yet agreed to resume the sale of American alcohol.
“When American alcohol returns to Liquor Mart shelves, Canadians should prioritize supporting local products that contribute to our country’s job market,” he stated.
The government of Yukon announced on Thursday that consumers in the territory can anticipate a gradual reintroduction of U.S.-made alcohol brands in stores in the coming weeks, subject to the finalization of a trade agreement.
The bans imposed by provinces on the sale of American alcohol have served as a significant negotiating tool for Canada throughout the trade discussions.
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According to the White House, the implementation of “unreasonable and discriminatory” measures by provinces and territories has adversely affected American businesses, workers, and commerce.
In a recent statement, the Trump administration indicated that Canadian imports of U.S. alcoholic beverages have plummeted by approximately 81% year over year, dropping to $137 million US for the period from March 2025 to February 2026, down from $718 million US in the preceding year.
States like California, renowned for its wine, and Kentucky, famous for its bourbon, have been particularly impacted by these restrictions.
“Kentucky’s number one trading partner is Canada,” mentioned Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in an interview with CBC News. “While they have been a reliable trading partner, Kentucky bourbon has been removed from their shelves due to recent tensions, which has negatively affected our economy. Every Canadian deserves access to quality Kentucky bourbon.”