By Abdul Jabbar | Bouncer News
As Canada retaliates against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs with countermeasures of $155 billion, American-made liquor may be among the first casualties on the shelves of stores. Soon after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s national address outlining Canada’s retaliation, several provincial leaders quickly announced their measures targeting the importation of U.S. liquor.
The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia have each acted with conviction to pull American-made wine, beer, and spirits out of government-run liquor stores. Follow the actions taken by each province:
LCBO (Ontario)
The LCBO is being ordered by Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to sell American alcoholic beverages as of Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
“LCBO currently sells nearly $1 billion worth of American alcohol products annually. That stops now,” Ford declared. “Starting Tuesday, U.S. products will be pulled from LCBO shelves and will no longer be available for purchase by restaurants, bars, and retailers in Ontario.”
The LCBO confirmed compliance with this directive, stating that it will indefinitely suspend all sales of American liquor products both in stores and online, as well as wholesale distribution to other businesses.
British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB)
British Columbia Premier David Eby announced that the province will halt purchases of U.S. liquor from Republican-led states and remove top-selling American brands from public liquor store shelves.
The BCLDB clarified its approach, stating:
The immediate suspension of new import orders of alcoholic liquors from Republican-controlled states.
Available stock of Jack Daniels, Bacardi Rum, Tito’s Vodka, Jim Beam, and Bulleit Bourbon will no longer be available for wholesale and hospitality orders as well.
Retail sales for these brands will be closed, and current stock taken out of shelves.
The liquors produced in Democratic-led states will continue to be sold.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL)
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has also banned the sale of American alcohol in the province, aligning with the federal government’s stance against Trump’s tariffs.
“Trump’s tariff tax is an attack on Canadians,” Kinew said. “We stand with the federal government’s response. As of February 4, Manitoba liquor marts will stop selling American alcohol, and no new orders will be placed.
The MBLL would be removing all U.S. alcohol products off its shelves, and Manitoba is urging consumers to buy local and support local breweries and distilleries.
Québec Liquor Board (SAQ)
Quebec has no specific measures as of yet concerning U.S. liquor imports. Premier François Legault has suggested that some American goods will see counter-tariffs, and it is uncertain if alcohol would be included among them.
An SAQ spokesperson said Monday nothing has been transmitted so far from the provincial government on order to eliminate U.S. alcohol off store shelves.
Nova Scotia Liquor Commission (NSLC)
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston stated that American alcohol would no longer be sold in provincial liquor stores starting February 4, 2025.
In a statement, the NSLC said: “Following the Province’s announcement, we will halt all sales of U.S. alcohol, removing these products from our shelves and ceasing future orders.”
As Canada escalates its trade response to U.S. tariffs, American alcohol brands are among the first to be affected. Consumers in several provinces will soon see a shift toward locally produced options as provincial liquor boards implement these bans. The coming weeks will reveal whether additional provinces join this growing movement against U.S. imports.