Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the province's ban on American alcohol will remain in effect until U.S. President Donald Trump removes tariffs on Canadian goods or a new trade agreement is reached. Ford made the comments during a press conference in Caledon, where he also discussed the upcoming construction of Highway 413.

The ban on U.S. wine, beer, and spirits was implemented in March as a direct response to Trump's tariffs on Canadian products. Ford stated, "It’s not coming on our shelves," emphasizing that the ban will continue until there is a resolution. He noted that sales of Ontario wine have increased significantly at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

Ford's stance contrasts with Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent decision to eliminate some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Carney described the change in strategy as necessary to maintain a positive trade relationship with the U.S. He stated, "Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States."

Despite Carney's approach, Ford remains firm in his position. He expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a new trade deal in the near future, saying, "I don’t think it’s going to happen for the next few months — but you never know with President Trump."

The ongoing trade tensions have seen Canada impose 25 percent tariffs on a variety of American goods, including alcohol, as a countermeasure to U.S. tariffs. Ford has consistently advocated for a reciprocal approach, suggesting that Canada should also increase tariffs on U.S. products to match the U.S. rates.

Sales data from the Ontario finance minister revealed that sales of Ontario and Canadian-made alcohol rose by 19 percent in the three months following the ban. Ford highlighted that Ontario wine sales alone surged by 67 percent.

As for the American alcohol that has been banned, Ford indicated that there are no immediate plans to dispose of it. He mentioned that less than one percent of U.S. alcohol has expired, and another one percent will not expire for another decade. Ford stated, "We still have a few months before anything expires, and we’ll take it from there."

The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue between Canada and the U.S., with both sides navigating the complexities of trade relations.