WASHINGTON — After President Donald Trump took office in 2025, he placed tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum and other products from Canada.
In retaliation, most Canadian provinces pulled liquor produced in America from government-run stores.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said in a March report that exports of American alcohol like Kentucky bourbon to Canada fell sharply.
The council reported a 70% drop in U.S. liquor exports to Canada, from $203 million from March to December of 2024 to $60 million during the same time period in 2025.
So far, only the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan have ended their ban.
Ontario is home to Maverick Distillery Limited, which produces vodka, whiskies and other spirits.
Producers there have seen a jump in sales, thanks to local support, said CEO Craig Peters
“A lot of Canadians are pretty upset about this whole business, so as a result, there’s huge local support,” he said. “We’ve seen our vodka sales rise about 100% on the year … our whisky sales actually have escalated to about 300% through the (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) network and we sell a lot directly as well, so we’re seeing immense growth because of it.”
Peter called the trade war “very unfortunate” and said that he feels for everyone affected, from Canada to Kentucky.
“To the distilleries, hang tough, my brothers,” he said. “A whisky maker to whiskey makers, we want to see this resolved. We want to see their business pick up again and exports start again. They’re making a fantastic product. Great people.”
A White House spokesperson told Spectrum News in a statement Thursday:
“President Trump skillfully used tariffs to sign over 20 trade deals that have created unprecedented market access for American food, beverage and industrial exports to economies worth trillions with nearly two billion people. As these trade deals and the Administration’s pro-growth policies of deregulation and working-class tax cuts take effect, it’s going to be bottoms up for American distillers, brewers and winemakers.”