Alberta halts US alcohol purchases amid Trump tariff dispute

Published 05/03/2025, 22:04
Alberta halts US alcohol purchases amid Trump tariff dispute

On Wednesday, Alberta announced it would cease purchasing US alcohol and modify its procurement policies in retaliation against President Donald Trump’s tariffs on US imports of Canadian products. Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta described the tariffs as a "betrayal" and emphasized the province’s commitment to finding alternative markets for its resources.

Alberta’s decision to halt US alcohol imports is part of a broader strategy to push back against the tariffs. Smith highlighted the significant trade figures, noting that Alberta sold $292 million worth of US liquor between 2023-2024. She estimated the overall impact on Canada’s alcohol imports from the US to be between $2-3 billion.

Despite the tensions, Smith expressed her willingness to "welcome the opportunity" to collaborate with the US in the future.

The province is actively identifying products that can easily replace US imports, signaling a move towards sourcing from other countries.

In her statement, Smith clarified that while Alberta does not support imposing taxes or reducing exports of oil and gas to the US, the province is exploring the construction of pipelines to Canada’s coasts. This effort aims to enhance the ability to ship to non-US markets, thereby reducing reliance on the US and mitigating the impact of the tariffs.

The change in procurement practices and the halt in alcohol purchases are immediate measures taken by Alberta in response to the trade dispute with the US. The province continues to assess the situation and explore further steps to protect its economic interests.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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