Manitoba’s premier has expressed a hesitant willingness to reintroduce American liquor as part of a potential trade agreement, but with a firm suggestion to the public – “Don’t purchase it.” Canadian and U.S. officials are in discussions to finalize a deal that could prevent new U.S. tariffs on approximately $30 billion worth of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his negotiating team recently reviewed the proposed agreement with his cabinet and provincial leaders.
Kinew revealed that Carney urged the provinces to restock American alcohol in stores, although Manitoba has not yet agreed to this move. Even if U.S. products return to Liquor Marts as part of the trade deal, Kinew encouraged Canadians to exercise their discretion and opt for Canadian alternatives instead.
During a press conference on Thursday, Kinew emphasized, “Let’s send a message that we disapprove of Donald Trump’s trade tactics and his treatment of Canada.” In 2025, Manitoba initially removed millions of dollars worth of U.S.-made alcohol in response to Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods that did not comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement.
Manitobans lined up extensively to purchase American liquor for a brief period in December after the province reintroduced some stock before Christmas and donated $2.6 million in profits to charitable organizations. In May, American wines and liqueurs that were set to expire in the fall were also available at Liquor Marts.
Despite the availability of U.S. alcohol, Manitobans increasingly preferred local options, leading to nearly $21 million in year-over-year sales growth at the province’s Liquor Marts as reported in June. Unlike Manitoba, other Prairie provinces reintroduced U.S. alcohol much earlier. Alberta removed U.S. liquor from shelves in March 2025 but lifted the ban three months later to demonstrate a renewed commitment to fair trade. Saskatchewan briefly enforced a ban in March 2025 but subsequently reversed the decision.
In a bid to resolve the trade tensions, Carney requested the premiers not to exclude the U.S. from their procurement policies, according to Kinew. Manitoba’s procurement guidelines have favored Canadian or non-American sources since the onset of the trade conflict last year, resulting in an 82% decrease in the province’s spending on American companies, Kinew stated.
While awaiting further details of the trade deal, Kinew expressed a desire for zero tariffs and highlighted the necessity of supporting workers, including those at the Gerdau steel mill in Selkirk, Manitoba. He criticized Trump’s unpredictability, irresponsibility, and lack of trustworthiness, questioning the sustainability of any agreement reached.
Kinew emphasized the need for Canada to negotiate for a better deal, asserting that Trump’s position is weakening and that Canada should take a firm stance in the negotiations. He also indicated that the province reserves the right to remove U.S. alcohol from shelves again if deemed necessary in the future.