The bottles of liquor have pop out of Canadian shelves, but not because they are for sale.
The Ontario Liquor Commission says It is pulling the American-made spirit in response to the escalating tariff feud between the US and Canada.
“As part of Ontario's response to U.S. tariffs, the Ontario government has directed the LCBO to take operational measures to implement restrictions on all U.S. beverage alcohol sales and related imports to Ontario. “Our in-store team will help customers find alternative products from a wide range of products from Ontario, Canada and around the world.”
LCBO's Main Website On Tuesday afternoon, it was changed to a brief disclaimer page.
“Our site is temporarily unavailable, but we will remove US products in response to US tariffs on Canadian products.” Read the site. “Our in-store customer service remains unaffected.”
President Trump's 25% tariff plan, which affects most Canadian imports, came into effect in the middle of the night, sparking retaliatory action across all of the US northern neighbours. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump's tariffs promoted “silly” and announced a 25% increase in US imports in retaliation.
Premier Dougford, Ontario, ordered LCBO separately, one of the world's largest alcohol buyers. He told reporters on Tuesday He knows it hits the final line of American companies.
“They are the only ones responsible for President Trump,” Ford said. “We have no choice. We have to respond.”
Ontario shares borders with five states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Kentucky Distilled Spirit Association Chairman Eric Gregory said the new tariffs will have “a widespread consequences” beyond the decision to pull Ontario's American liquor. Kentucky produces around 95% of the world's bourbon.
“It means hardworking Americans – corn farmers, truckers, distillery workers, barrel makers, bartenders, servers and communities and businesses built around Kentucky Bourbon will suffer,” Gregory said. said in a statement. “Retaliation measures against bourbon are harmful to these markets and risk growth over the next few years, including the unjust and unbalanced removal of American spirits from retail shelves and the ban on new purchases of alcohol from American companies.”
