Manitoba’s leader expressed a tentative willingness to reintroduce American liquor into the market as part of a potential trade agreement, despite advising against purchasing it. Negotiations between Canadian and U.S. authorities are ongoing to prevent new tariffs on approximately $30 billion worth of Canadian products. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team recently discussed the proposed deal with cabinet members and provincial leaders.
Premier Kinew mentioned that Carney urged the provinces to restock American alcohol in stores, but Manitoba has yet to confirm its agreement. Kinew emphasized that even if U.S. products return to Liquor Marts as part of the trade deal, Canadian consumers have the choice to refrain from buying them and opt for Canadian alternatives instead. He conveyed this message during a press conference on Thursday, stating, “Let’s send a message that we do not support Donald Trump’s trade policies or his treatment of Canada.”
In retaliation against Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods that violated the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, Manitoba initially removed millions of dollars worth of U.S.-made alcohol from shelves in 2025. Subsequently, the province briefly made American wines and liqueurs available for purchase in Liquor Marts in December and May.
Although American liquor made a limited return to some Manitoba stores, local options remained popular among consumers, leading to a significant year-over-year sales increase of nearly $21 million at Liquor Marts in the province. Meanwhile, neighboring Prairie provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan had already reintroduced U.S. alcohol back into the market after temporary bans.
Regarding procurement policies, Carney requested that the premiers avoid excluding the United States from their sourcing preferences. Manitoba’s procurement guidelines have favored Canadian or non-American sources since the onset of the trade war, resulting in an 82% decrease in the province’s spending on American companies, according to Kinew. He highlighted the impact of this policy, which he believes has prompted the Trump administration to seek a deal with Canada.
Kinew’s statements were met with criticism from the Opposition, with Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan pointing out that Manitoba had recently signed a $36-million contract with the American-based Aramark food services company. Despite this, Kinew emphasized the importance of advocating for a fair trade deal and supporting Canadian workers, particularly in industries like the Gerdau steel mill in Selkirk, Manitoba.
In conclusion, Kinew expressed skepticism about the potential trade deal and questioned the reliability of dealing with Trump, raising concerns about the deal’s sustainability. He asserted Manitoba’s right to remove U.S. alcohol from shelves again if necessary. The premier emphasized the need to prioritize the interests of Team Canada and push for a more favorable agreement.