Muhammad Amanullah | August 8, 2026
American alcohol will not be removed
The True post (Web News) — Quebec has refused to lift its ban on the sale of American alcohol amid the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
The Quebec government has made it clear that alcohol imported from the United States will not return to the shelves of government-run liquor stores, even if the federal government of Canada agrees to some of the demands being made by the United States during ongoing trade negotiations.
Ban Will Remain in Place
The office of Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said in a statement issued Friday that it is necessary to defend the province’s economic interests amid the ongoing trade war.
According to the statement, the decision to remove American alcohol from government-run liquor stores in the province will remain in place until an agreement is reached that Quebec considers fair.
The Quebec government has emphasized that decisions regarding the sale of alcohol fall under provincial jurisdiction and that Quebec will have the final say on the matter.
Position Differs From Federal Government
Quebec’s announcement comes at a time when Canada’s federal government is considering accepting some U.S. demands as part of ongoing trade negotiations.
According to industry sources familiar with the talks, Ottawa is considering lifting provincial restrictions on American alcohol, easing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. vehicles and making some changes to its dairy policies.
Also Read: Canada Takes Major Step Under U.S. Tariff Pressure as Eight Provinces Open New Markets for Alcohol Sales
In return, Canada wants the United States to withdraw its proposed 50 percent tariff on hundreds of Canadian products and provide relief from trade restrictions affecting various industrial sectors.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on several Canadian products starting August 19. Against this backdrop, negotiations between the two countries have accelerated, with officials attempting to reach an agreement before the deadline.
Canada’s federal government wants to resolve the trade dispute through a broader agreement. However, decisions made by provincial governments are creating additional complications for the negotiations.
Provincial Authority
Prime Minister Mark Carney has already said that the final decision on whether American alcohol should return to stores rests with provincial governments.
Carney has also indicated that changes to restrictions on American alcohol could potentially become part of a broader trade agreement with the United States.
However, the Quebec government has made it clear that, despite the potential federal trade agreement, the decision to resume sales of American alcohol will be made solely by Quebec.
U.S. Pressure Continues
Quebec has previously faced pressure from the United States to restore sales of American alcohol. Last month, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson of California urged the Quebec premier to remove the restrictions on American alcohol.
Mike Thompson argued that resuming sales of American alcohol would be in the interests of both Canadians and Californians.
He referred to the long-standing trade relationship between Canada and California and said that California wines have an excellent reputation worldwide and that Canadian consumers should have access to them.
Race to Reach a Trade Agreement
Canada-U.S. negotiations have now entered a critical phase because of the August 19 U.S. tariff deadline. The federal government is seeking an agreement with Washington that would provide relief from existing or proposed tariffs on Canadian products.
Quebec, however, has made it clear that American alcohol will not immediately return to government-run liquor stores despite the ongoing trade pressure. The provincial government maintains that until it receives a fair agreement that protects its economic interests, there is no question of putting American products back on the shelves.
This has created a clear difference between Canada’s federal government and Quebec over the issue of American alcohol, potentially creating another important obstacle in the sensitive trade negotiations with the United States.
