WASHINGTON — The Liquor Control Board of Ontario website says the following message when you search for Kentucky bourbon:
“This U.S. product is no longer available in response to U.S tariffs on Canadian goods. Check out our recommended Canadian alternatives.”
President Donald Trump placed tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum and other products from Canada earlier this year.
Canada retaliated by putting a 25% tariff on all American alcohol products, and most provinces pulled the bottles from government-run stores.
According to new figures provided to Spectrum News by trade association Spirits Canada, from early March to the end of April, sales of American liquor in Canada fell by over 65%, and total liquor sales in Canada declined by over 12%.
Cal Bricker, the association’s president and CEO, said even though some private retailers have continued selling American alcohol, Canadians aren’t buying as much.
“Spirits are visible, people can see them and it looks like government action, but it’s having a disproportionate effect on our industry,” Bricker said. “The way I describe it is we’re carrying the retaliation for the country.”
Meanwhile, a coalition representing the American alcohol industry is petitioning the Trump administration for trade agreements that protect reciprocal zero-for-zero tariffs.
The coalition said uncertainty because of tariffs is leaving them unable to develop plans to protect their businesses and workers.
Spectrum News asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about those concerns Tuesday.
“We’re looking at everything for the American people, and we think over the long-term, what’s good for the American people is going to be good for American industry,” Bessent said. “The Canadians, in a show of bad faith, have taken American liquor off the shelves up there … I think they’re going to end up with a better deal, but we are doing this for the long-run good of the American people.”
