Statement by Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, on the U.S. Imposition of a 50% Tariff on Canadian Spirits

“We appreciate the administration’s recognition that American distillers have been unfairly targeted by these Canadian provincial sales bans. This treatment of U.S. spirits products has caused significant economic harm to our industry. It is unfortunate that the Canadian provinces’ continued refusal to return U.S. spirits products to store shelves over the past year and a half has contributed to this outcome. We encourage policymakers on both sides of the border to pursue a negotiated solution that restores market access for U.S. spirits throughout Canada and returns spirits trade to a zero-for-zero tariff framework.”

Background:

– Canadian provinces removed U.S. spirits from retail shelves in March 2025 in retaliation to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
– Exports to Canada fell more than 70% year-over-year from the start of the retaliatory ban in March 2025 through December 2025.
– Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only two provinces that have since lifted their bans