Manitoba’s leader has expressed a hesitant willingness to reintroduce American alcohol as part of a potential trade agreement, along with a recommendation to avoid purchasing it. Canadian and U.S. officials are in talks to finalize a deal to prevent new U.S. tariffs on nearly $30 billion worth of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team discussed this deal with his cabinet and the premiers.
Kinew revealed that Carney had requested the provinces to bring back American alcohol to store shelves, but Manitoba has not yet agreed to this. Even if U.S. products are restocked at Liquor Marts as part of the trade deal, Kinew urged Canadians to opt for Canadian alternatives instead.
In a press conference, Kinew emphasized, “Don’t buy it. Let it remain on the shelf… and choose to purchase Canadian products instead.” He emphasized the need to convey disapproval towards Donald Trump’s trade policies and treatment of Canada.
The province had previously removed millions of dollars worth of U.S.-made alcohol in 2025 as a response to Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods that did not comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. Manitobans queued up to purchase American liquor for a limited period in December after the province reintroduced some of its stock before Christmas and donated $2.6 million in proceeds to charitable organizations.
Despite the availability of U.S. alcohol, Manitobans showed a preference for local options, resulting in a year-over-year sales growth of nearly $21 million at Liquor Marts, as reported by the province in June. Other Prairie provinces had already reintroduced U.S. alcohol into stores, with Alberta and Saskatchewan lifting their bans on American products.
Carney also urged the premiers not to exclude the United States from their procurement policies, emphasizing the importance of fair trade practices. Manitoba’s procurement policies have favored Canadian or non-American sources since the onset of the trade war, leading to a significant decline in spending on American firms in the province.
In response to Kinew’s stance on local support, Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan criticized the premier for signing a $36 million contract with American-based Aramark food services in July 2025. Despite ongoing negotiations, Kinew emphasized the need for tariffs on steel and aluminum to be eliminated and highlighted the importance of supporting workers in industries like the Gerdau steel mill in Selkirk, Manitoba.
Kinew expressed skepticism about the durability of any potential deal with the Trump administration, citing concerns about its longevity. He asserted Manitoba’s right to remove U.S. alcohol from shelves again if necessary. The premier advocated for Canada to negotiate a better trade deal, considering Trump’s weakened position and the current state of international relations.
A California winemaker, Steve Matthiasson, criticized Kinew for not distinguishing between different U.S. alcohol products, emphasizing that California winemakers are not the issue. He highlighted the challenges faced by his business due to decreased exports following the removal of American products from Canadian shelves, affecting operations and future planning.
Public reactions in Winnipeg varied regarding the potential reintroduction of American alcohol at Liquor Marts. Some individuals supported the idea of concessions to facilitate trade negotiations, while others emphasized the importance of buying local products. Overall, there was a sentiment of cautious optimism about the future of trade relations between Canada and the United States.