In a recent statement on Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, Premier David Eby didn’t address the highly talked-about possibility that provinces might start selling U.S. booze again.
On Aug. 19, Eby said in a statement that the federal government had briefed provinces and territories on the Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, and the Province is hopeful about the “possibility of an agreement.”
“B.C. stands with Team Canada,” Eby said. “While no agreement will offer everything our country is hoping for, the federal government has made substantial progress across strategic sectors. ”
“Agreement or not, we will not go back to the way things were before. We will continue to push forward our work to find new trading partners and secure major projects to build a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits everyone.”
Daily Hive reached out to the premier’s office and asked if B.C. was planning to put U.S. alcohol back on shelves as part of a possible trade agreement. They declined to answer, with a spokesperson saying that they’ll “be able to say more after an agreement has been reached.”
However, on the other side of the country, Tim Houston, the premier of Nova Scotia, gave a more detailed response when asked about U.S. booze.
“In terms of alcohol specifically, the prime minister has asked us as premiers, as provinces, to return the U.S. alcohol to the shelves,” he said on Wednesday.
“Of course, it’s pending a final deal that is representative of the types of things we’re hearing today, but certainly the prime minister has asked us to look at that. It’s been an irritant — something has really bothered the United States for so many reasons.”
These trade negotiations come after U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders on July 20, promising to “impose additional 50 per cent tariffs on certain goods of Canada, in response to Canada’s own retaliatory tariffs.”
The main concerns the White House cited were the provinces’ alcohol bans (all but two provinces have them), along with cars and dairy.
“All but two Canadian provinces and territories have halted the purchase, distribution, or retailing of U.S. alcoholic beverages, and have not imposed similar restrictions on other countries,” reads a release.
Initially, the 50 per cent tariffs were to take effect on Aug. 19, but Trump announced a three-day extension hours before the deadline.
In March 2025, Eby announced that American beer, wine, spirits, and refreshment beverages will be removed from the shelves of BC Liquor stores, saying that Trump can “keep his watery beer.”
Even if Canadians have the opportunity to shop for U.S. booze, many might not take it. A Nanos poll from July surveyed over 1,100 Canadians and asked if they would purchase American alcohol if it were back on store shelves, with 69 per cent responding that it was unlikely.