Canada Bans U.S. Booze, Boosts Local Sales

0:00Canadian provinces hid back at President Trump's tear threats and stay-hood jabs by yanking most American booze off the shelves last year. All but Saskatchewan and Alberta still enforce these bans, pushing shoppers toward local grains with signs like, by Canadian instead. U.S. spirits exports to Canada plunged over 70 percent from March to December 2025, dropping from $203 million. To just 60 million, meanwhile, Canadian whiskey sales skyrocketed 94 percent, and overall local alcohol sales jumped 18 percent according to liquor boards. Vodka's, whiskey's, and bourbons from brands like Jag Daniels became ghosts on shelves, while homegrown options filled the gap in pubs and stores. Bar owners and distillers report customers loving the switch to Canadian gins, vodka's and whiskey's, but overall drinking is down worldwide and here. It's worsened by the cost of living crunch. Places like Tommy's speakatory ditched U.S. whiskey entirely, yet regulars cut back on

1:02outings with beers hitting $10 to $12. Craft spots face steep taxes and pricier production, squeezing margins and closing doors for some like, Manitoulin Brewing. The U.S. trade representatives latest report calls these bans a major barrier ahead of this summer's Canada, U.S. Mexico agreement review. This created 68 percent per statistics Canada, urking Washington while boosting Canadian producers 10 fold in some cases. Provinces hold the power in Canada's setup, so reversing this won't be easy, even if trade chills. Habits might stick, keeping dollars homegrown, but costs could pull folks back to cheaper U.S. options down the line. That's your update from Canada News Today, powered by AI.