Canada Removes U.S. Alcohol from Shelves in Response to Trump Tariffs

Canadian provinces retaliate against new U.S. trade policies by banning American-made liquor, sparking concerns in the bourbon and spirits industries.

President Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, prompting swift retaliatory measures from Canada, including tariffs on U.S. exports and a ban on American alcohol sales in government-run stores.
Canadian provinces like Ontario and Quebec have instructed liquor retailers to remove U.S. spirits, wine, and beer from shelves, significantly impacting American producers like Kentucky bourbon distilleries and Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman.
The Kentucky Distillers' Association warns that the retaliatory measures will harm thousands of workers in the bourbon industry, which contributes $9 billion annually to the state's economy and employs over 23,000 people.
Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting criticized the move as disproportionate, stating that pulling products from shelves is worse than tariffs as it entirely eliminates sales in affected markets.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial leaders have defended the measures, citing the need to respond to U.S. tariffs, while the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has expressed concerns about job losses and long-term market disruptions.