Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that all American-made products will be pulled from LCBO shelves starting Tuesday, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs.
Ford emphasized that Ontario’s liquor stores sell nearly $1 billion worth of U.S. wine, beer, spirits, and seltzers annually, but this revenue stream for American companies is coming to an end.
“There’s never been a better time to choose products made in Ontario and Canada,” Ford said.
The LCBO will not only remove American products from retail shelves, but will also eliminate them from its wholesale catalogue, meaning Ontario restaurants and retailers will no longer be able to restock U.S. products.
In response to the U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 25 per cent tariff on $155 billion worth of American goods, targeting alcohol, furniture, and natural resources. However, Trudeau stopped short of cutting energy exports to the U.S. and emphasized that any regional measures will be taken in coordination with provincial leaders.
With tensions escalating between Canada and the U.S., the impact of Ontario’s LCBO ban on American alcohol and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs remains to be seen. This marks a significant shift in trade relations, with potential repercussions for both Canadian consumers and American exporters.