# Canada-U.S. alcohol trade dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canada-us-alcohol-trade-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-18T15:19:36.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

A trade dispute between Canada and the United States has escalated into a potential import ban on most Canadian alcohol products, scheduled to take effect on September 29. This retaliation follows an early 2025 decision by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to ban U.S.-made alcohol.

In British Columbia, Okanagan wine producers are preparing for the impact. Local winery owners anticipate significant revenue losses and a reduction in brand visibility with international reviewers. Jeff Guignard, president and CEO of the Wine Growers of British Columbia, noted that the ban will negatively affect businesses on both sides of the border, including producers, importers, and hospitality businesses.

In response to the volatile trade environment, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has launched the ‘We’re All in on Ontario’ campaign to promote domestic beer, wine, cider, and spirits. The initiative includes enhanced branding and front-of-store placement for over 4,600 Ontario-made beverages. The impending U.S. ban threatens approximately $1 billion in Canadian spirits exports and thousands of jobs in the distilling and bottling sectors.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Ontario LCBO launches local alcohol campaign amid Canada-U.S. trade war

The LCBO has launched a campaign to promote Ontario-made alcohol as a response to a looming U.S. import ban on Canadian spirits and beer scheduled for September 29.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ontario-lcbo-launches-local-alcohol-campaign-amid-canada-us-trade-war

### 2026-09-10: Okanagan wine producers face imminent U.S. ban on Canadian alcohol imports

B.C. wine producers face significant economic and branding challenges as the United States prepares to ban most Canadian alcohol imports later this month.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okanagan-wine-producers-face-imminent-us-ban-on-canadian-alcohol-imports

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Cite as: Canada-U.S. alcohol trade dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canada-us-alcohol-trade-dispute
