Three provinces removing U.S. booze in stores following Trump tariffs

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OTTAWA — U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods may lead some in Canada to drink. But there’s one thing they likely won’t be drowning their sorrows in: American booze.

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Hours after the U.S. formally launched its trade war with Canada and Mexico, Ontario, B.C. and Nova Scotia promised their province’s liquor authorities would stop stocking some or all U.S.-produced alcohols until Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs are dropped.

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And in other provinces where U.S. alcohol will still be sold when tariffs kick in Tuesday, it’s most likely going to be at least 25 per cent more expensive.

Canadian government officials are expected to announce the detailed list of goods impacted by a first, $30-billion phase of tariffs on Sunday afternoon that should include U.S. booze.

Sunday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed that when the U.S. tariffs kick in on Tuesday, all American products will disappear from the province’s Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves. The LCBO is one of the biggest alcohol purchasers in the world.

“Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore,” he wrote on social media.

“As the only wholesaler of alcohol in the province, LCBO will also remove American products from its catalogue so other Ontario-based restaurants and retailers can’t order or restock U.S. products.”

On Saturday, both B.C. and Nova Scotia made similar promises.

N.S. Premier Tim Houston announced he would direct the province’s liquor corporation to “remove all alcohol from the United States” from its shelves on the same day the U.S. tariffs kick in.

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B.C. Premier David Eby made a similar promise but made it much more targeted. He told reporters Saturday that he had directed the provincial liquor board to immediately stop purchasing and selling American liquor from Republican-led “red states.”

That will most likely impact such popular products such as whiskies from Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas but exclude wines from Democrat-led states like California, Washington and Oregon.

Eby’s announcement did not clarify if it only targeted spirits or included wine, beer and other types of American alcohol.

“Liquor store employees will be removing the most popular of these brands from government store shelves” as of Saturday, Eby said.

Last week, Quebec Premier François Legault said his government was considering blocking or limiting the sale of American booze on Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) shelves.

That measure was not part of Legault’s announcement on the province’s first retaliatory measures this weekend, but Finance Minister Eric Girard’s office told National Post that “everything is on the table,” including targeting U.S. alcohol.

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Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson said his government is also exploring halting the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s purchase of American goods.

For provinces where U.S. alcohol will still be available, it’s almost guaranteed to be more expensive as of Tuesday.

That’s because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau singled out American beer, wine and bourbon when announcing Saturday night that Canada would implement “dollar-for-dollar” retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.

“Our response will also be far reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice, along with vegetables, perfume, clothing and shoes,” Trudeau said.

“It will include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment and materials like lumber and plastics, along with much, much more,” he added.

More to come.

National Post, with files from Antoine Trépanier

Cnardi@postmedia.com

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