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Ontario refuses to lift US alcohol ban unless car and steel tariffs fall
Ontario Premier Doug Ford linked any change to the removal of US sectoral tariffs on cars and steel, keeping alcohol in the mix for broader Canada-US trade talks.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is again using tariff threats to pressure Canadian provinces to end their boycotts of American alcohol, according to SCMP Economy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he will not lift his province’s ban on selling US wine and spirits in government-run stores unless the US removes sectoral tariffs on cars and steel.
Ford said Canada should negotiate through strength and that all issues should be put on the table. He made the remarks in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, during talks with reporters.
SCMP Economy also reported that Canada is pursuing a comprehensive trade deal with the US and appears to be using alcohol as a bargaining chip. Prime Minister Mark Carney said any decision to lift the ban would be made by provinces individually, and only as part of an overall agreement.
The boycott follows Trump’s broader trade war with the US, when several Canadian provinces including Ontario and Quebec pulled US wine and spirits from government-operated stores. SCMP Economy said the move cost American booze-makers millions of dollars in sales.