Manitoba’s leader reluctantly considers reintroducing American alcohol as part of a potential trade agreement but advises against purchasing it. Negotiations between Canadian and U.S. officials aim to prevent new U.S. tariffs on around $30 billion worth of Canadian goods. Premier Mark Carney and his team discussed the potential deal with his cabinet and provincial leaders.
Kinew mentioned that Carney requested provinces to reintroduce American alcohol to store shelves, but Manitoba has not yet agreed. Kinew emphasized that if U.S. products return to Liquor Marts as part of a trade deal, Canadians have the choice to opt for Canadian alternatives instead.
The province initially removed millions of dollars of U.S.-made alcohol in 2025 in response to Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. Manitobans queued up to buy American liquor for a brief period in December after the province restocked its inventory and donated $2.6 million to charities.
Even with American alcohol available, Manitobans showed a preference for local options, resulting in nearly a $21 million year-over-year sales growth at Liquor Marts in the province. Other Prairie provinces reinstated U.S. alcohol on store shelves earlier than Manitoba.
Carney urged the premiers not to exclude the U.S. from their procurement policies. Manitoba’s procurement policies have favored Canadian or non-American sources since the onset of the trade conflict, leading to an 82% decrease in spending on American firms. Kinew expressed that the Trump administration’s interest in a deal reflects the impact of these policies.
The Opposition leader criticized Kinew for supposedly not fully supporting local businesses, citing a multimillion-dollar contract with an American-based company. Kinew asserted that he aims for zero tariffs in the deal and emphasized the importance of supporting workers, particularly at the Gerdau steel mill in Selkirk, Manitoba.
Regarding the potential trade deal, Kinew labeled Trump as erratic and untrustworthy, questioning the deal’s stability. He emphasized the need to fight for a better agreement, stating that Canada holds the upper hand in negotiations with the U.S.
A California winemaker and Winnipeg native disagreed with Kinew’s stance on U.S. alcohol, highlighting that not all American alcohol producers are problematic. The winemaker expressed frustration with the trade war’s impact on their business and emphasized the challenges faced due to the trade policies.
Public reactions to the possibility of American alcohol returning to Liquor Marts were mixed, with individuals expressing support for local products and skepticism towards U.S. goods. Manitobans’ changing purchasing behaviors during the trade conflict have highlighted a shift towards local options and a preference for Canadian goods.