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Quebec’s premier says U.S. products will remain off the shelves of its government-run liquor stores, regardless of reports that Canada is readying to meet some U.S. demands, including rolling back its ban on American alcohol.
According to a Friday statement from Premier Christine Fréchette’s office, in the context of the current trade war, it is essential to defend Quebec’s economic interests.
The premier’s office says the removal of U.S. alcohol from Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) shelves will remain in effect “until an agreement that we deem fair has been negotiated.”
“The sale of alcohol falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Quebec government. Quebec, and Quebec alone, will make that decision,” the statement says.
The statement comes after CBC News reported that the federal government is prepared to meet some U.S. demands in ongoing trade negotiations, including ending provincial bans on American alcohol sales, in exchange for relief from U.S. tariffs.
Industry sources told CBC that Ottawa is also considering lifting retaliatory tariffs on U.S. automobiles and making changes to dairy policies as Canada seeks to have the United States drop planned 50 per cent tariffs on hundreds of Canadian imports.
While Prime Minister Mark Carney has said decisions about restocking American alcohol ultimately rest with the provinces, he has also suggested changes to the bans could form part of a broader trade agreement.
Negotiators are racing to reach a deal before U.S. President Donald Trump’s Aug. 19 tariff deadline.
Last month, California Rep. Mike Thompson put pressure on Quebec. He said it’s in the best interest of both Canadians and Californians for Quebec to lift its restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales.
“California makes the best wine in the world. We have long worked to establish a good trade relationship with our Canadian friends,” the Democrat congressman told CBC’s As It Happens.
“It’s important to us, and it’s important to our Canadian neighbours, that they have access to this fine wine.”
