U.S.-Made Alcohol to Stay on LCBO Shelves as Tariff Implementation Delayed
U.S. Alcohol Products to Stay on LCBO Shelves as Tariff Delay Pauses Ontario Boycott
Jack Daniel’s whisky, Bacardi rum, and California wines will remain available at LCBO stores and restaurants after Ontario’s planned boycott of U.S. alcohol products was put on hold. The delay follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that tariffs on Canadian goods have been postponed for 30 days while discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump continue.
Prior to the decision, bars and restaurants were given a list of over 300 products that would have been removed from the LCBO’s inventory, including popular American-made spirits and wines.
A previous statement from the LCBO indicated that, effective February 4, 2025, U.S.-produced spirits, wine, beer, ready-to-drink cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages would no longer be available in retail stores, online platforms, or convenience outlets. Wholesale customers, including grocery stores, bars, and restaurants, would also have been restricted from ordering these products.
With the temporary tariff delay, businesses now have until March 1 to determine whether they will need to adjust their product offerings. Some restaurant owners had planned to continue selling U.S. liquor until stocks were depleted, while others intended to pull American products from shelves preemptively.
Kris Barnier, Central Canada vice-president of Restaurants Canada, noted that while the impact on beer availability would be minimal, spirits such as Jim Beam, Kraken, and Sailor Jerry rum would have been among the most affected. The fate of the LCBO’s large inventory of California wines remains uncertain should tariffs be reinstated.
The potential boycott also presents an opportunity for Ontario wineries to increase their presence in the market. Michelle Wasylyshen, president and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries, highlighted the trade imbalance, stating that while Canada exports little wine to the U.S., it remains the largest market for American wine exports.
“There is an opportunity to get more VQA Ontario wines onto store shelves, into bars and restaurants, and ultimately into the hands of consumers,” she said.
Many Canadian restaurants and consumers have already expressed interest in shifting toward domestic products, both in response to potential tariffs and as a show of national support.
