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Liquor boycotts hit back at U.S. tariffs

Published: 29 July 2026

American alcohol has become a flashpoint in the Canada-U.S. trade war, with President Donald Trump citing provincial liquor bans among the justifications for new tariffs on Canadian goods.

Preetika Joshi, assistant professor at ɬ﷬ Desautels, says removing American products from store shelves sends a stronger retaliatory message than imposing tariffs. “When you refuse to sell it, there is no sale, so that’s a bigger hit,” Joshi explains.

Most provinces have maintained their bans, contributing to steep declines in U.S. wine and spirits sales in Canada. The dispute has transformed alcohol into a highly visible symbol of Canadian economic resistance. 


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