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Or sign-in if you have an account.Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured here in Charlottetown on July 21, 2026, said the province will not lift a ban on U.S. alcohol sales in government-run stores unless the White House ends tariffs against autos and steel. Photo by TIM KROCHAK /PostmediaPresident Donald Trump’s administration is using another tariff threat to put fresh pressure on Canadian provinces to end their boycotts of U.S. alcohol. But provincial leaders aren’t backing off.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorOntario Premier Doug Ford said he won’t lift his province’s ban on the sale of American wine and spirits in government-run stores unless the United States removes sectoral tariffs on autos and steel. “We have to negotiate through strength, not weakness. And we need to throw everything on the table,” he told reporters in Charlottetown on Tuesday. Trump is “nothing but a bully,” he added.Canada is still angling for a comprehensive trade deal with the United States, and appears set on using alcohol as a bargaining chip. Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters that any decision to lift a ban “will be taken by the provinces themselves each individually, and should only be taken — in my judgment — as part of an overall agreement.”Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againSeveral Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, pulled U.S. wine and spirits from government-operated stores after Trump started a trade war last year, costing American booze-makers millions of dollars in sales. Even though alcohol accounts for a tiny fraction of trade between the two countries, the initiative is very visible and has been irritating the White House.Canada is “highly discriminatory on dairy products, U.S. alcohol,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business Network Tuesday, dubbing the new tariff threat as “just reciprocity to what they’ve done to our great U.S. companies.”Other provinces aren’t keen to back down either. “There is not a chance in hell that U.S. alcohol is going back on the shelf,” British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters in Charlottetown, where Canadian premiers have assembled to meet.Before Carney’s comments, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he expects the prime minister to ask provinces to remove their alcohol bans to smooth discussions with the U.S. administration. Saskatchewan and its neighbour, Alberta, permit the sale of American liquor in government stores.“That’ll be a decision each province will have to make, but that ask should come from the federal government,” Moe said. “They’re at the negotiating table.”International trade lawyer Mark Warner argued there’s no legal basis for the provinces’ action.“The booze ban is problematic because it’s kind of a blunt instrument,” he said in an interview, adding that dropping the measure might help advance trade discussions with the U.S. while having minimal economic effect.“If Canadians will not buy American bourbon and Californian wine, you don’t need a ban,” Warner said. “Put it back on the store and nobody will buy it.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.