Ontario Premier Doug Ford silent on request to restock American alcohol

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has maintained silence regarding the restocking of American alcohol and ongoing trade tariffs, even as negotiations between Canada and the United States approach a critical deadline. Ford's office and the Ministry of Finance have not responded to inquiries about the matter.

Under Ford's leadership, Ontario was the first province to remove American alcoholic beverages from circulation in its liquor stores. This move, initiated in March 2025, was a direct retaliation against tariffs imposed by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford had consistently argued that the boycott was an effective measure and stated the LCBO would not reinstate American alcohol sales until the U.S. dropped its tariffs.

“

We won’t back down. The fastest and only way to get U.S. alcohol back on Ontario shelves is for the U.S. to drop its illegal tariffs on Canada.

Just last month, Ford reiterated his stance on social media, declaring, "We won’t back down. The fastest and only way to get U.S. alcohol back on Ontario shelves is for the U.S. to drop its illegal tariffs on Canada." However, this boycott has become a significant point of contention in trade discussions, with Trump labeling it a "discriminatory" measure.

As trade talks progress, other provincial premiers have indicated that Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged them to resume stocking American alcohol. Ford's current quiet approach is a notable departure from his previously assertive public statements on the issue. He has not held a press conference since August 13. Before the ban, Ontario imported approximately $965 million worth of alcoholic beverages from the U.S. annually. Ford had previously assured reporters in June that American alcohol would return to Ontario shelves once the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA) was renewed.

“

I just want to get this deal done. And I can assure you once that deal’s done, I’m going to be sitting down and bringing all the booze back on shelves in Ontario, and everyone’s going to be kumbaya. It’s going to be good.