In the past, Bill Easton used to have regular shipments of Syrah sent to Montreal from his winery in California’s Sierra Foothills. Every six weeks, a truck would pick up the wine, and six weeks later, he would receive payment from Canada.
However, this routine changed when Quebec stopped selling American alcohol last spring. Now, Easton pays $1,200 every four weeks to store the wine in a controlled facility due to the ban.
Easton, the owner of Terre Rouge Wines in Plymouth, Calif., mentioned that wine specifically labeled for the Quebec market is sitting in a warehouse waiting to be sold.
The prohibition on U.S. alcohol by Canadian provinces has become a focal point in trade talks, with winemakers and industry groups feeling puzzled about being entangled in an international trade dispute.
Easton expressed his concerns, stating, “I think we’re being used as a bargaining chip in this negotiation. I’m not sure why we are in this tariff dispute with Canada.”
“We’re just farmers and winemakers selling wine to people who appreciate our craft,” added Easton.
Premiers Evaluating Reintroduction of U.S. Alcohol
Most Canadian provinces ceased selling U.S. alcohol products early last year in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney urged provinces to reconsider in a bid to avoid new American tariffs on $29 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Some premiers indicated they would comply if they were convinced the deal was beneficial, while others refrained from commitments until more details were provided. One leader expressed caution about relinquishing leverage in a volatile trade scenario.
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‘A bad taste left in my mouth’: Will Canadians buy U.S. booze again?
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If U.S. booze returns to shelves, ‘leave it there,’ Manitoba premier says
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew remarked, “The American president is weak. He’s threatening us, and if