Manitoba’s premier expressed hesitancy but openness to reintroducing American liquor as part of a potential trade agreement, with a recommendation to opt against purchasing it. Canadian and U.S. officials are in discussions to finalize a deal that would prevent new U.S. tariffs on approximately $30 billion in Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team engaged in talks with his cabinet and provincial leaders regarding the prospective agreement.
Kinew disclosed that Carney requested provinces to reintroduce American alcohol to store shelves, although Manitoba has not yet agreed to this. Even if U.S. products return to Liquor Marts as part of a trade deal, Kinew emphasized that Canadians still have the choice to refrain from buying them. During a news conference in his office on Thursday, Kinew encouraged consumers to support Canadian products over American ones as a message of disapproval towards Donald Trump’s trade tactics.
In an act of retaliation against Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods that did not comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, Manitoba initially withdrew millions of dollars worth of U.S.-made alcohol in 2025. Subsequently, Manitobans lined up extensively to purchase American liquor for a limited time in December, after the province reintroduced some of its inventory before Christmas and donated $2.6 million in proceeds to charitable organizations.
Local preferences prevailed in Manitoba, leading to a nearly $21 million year-over-year sales growth at the province’s Liquor Marts, even when U.S. alcohol was available. The province of Alberta swiftly reinstated American alcohol on store shelves after a temporary ban in March 2025, citing a renewed commitment to fair trade. Similarly, Saskatchewan briefly enforced a ban in March 2025 but reversed its decision two months later.
Carney urged the premiers not to exclude the United States from their procurement policies, emphasizing Manitoba’s preference for Canadian or non-American sources in procurement since the onset of the trade war, resulting in an 82 percent decline in spending on American firms. Kinew highlighted the significant impact of this policy, indicating a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to Canada.
Disagreements arose between Kinew and the Opposition leader regarding the extent of support for local businesses, with claims of inflated figures. Despite signing a $36-million contract with American-based Aramark food services, Kinew emphasized the need for a better trade deal with the U.S. Kinew expressed skepticism about the durability of any agreement with the Trump administration and reserved the right to remove U.S. alcohol from shelves if necessary.
Kinew stressed the importance of advocating for Team Canada’s interests, emphasizing the need to combat U.S. tariffs and negotiate for favorable terms. A California winemaker criticized Kinew’s stance on U.S. alcohol, emphasizing the distinctions between different American products and expressing the challenges faced by businesses due to the trade war.
Public opinions in Winnipeg varied regarding the potential reintroduction of American liquor at Liquor Marts, with individuals showing support for local products and expressing skepticism about purchasing American goods. The sentiment among consumers reflected a shift towards favoring local alternatives and a desire for improved international relations for mutual benefit.