BC Expands US Alcohol Ban to All States, Not Just Republican Ones

B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Delta, B.C., on March 18, 2024. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby has announced that all U.S. alcohol is coming off store shelves “effective immediately” in response to U.S. tariffs.

Eby made the announcement on March 10, expanding a decision he made on March 4 to remove U.S. alcohol that comes from Republican states.

The move followed similar ones in other provinces after President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on most Canadian imports, and a 10 percent tariff on energy.

“Last week, we took ‘red state’ liquor off our shelves in a targeted move. In the face of ongoing threats, including to Canada’s dairy and lumber industries, we are expanding the list of targeted American products,” Eby said in a statement.

Eby said the BC Liquor Distribution Branch will no longer be purchasing U.S. products.

The move was “effective immediately,” according to a March 10 social media post by Eby, who said it presented a good opportunity to sample Canadian products.

“I encourage those who enjoy Napa Valley wines to enjoy the many award winners from the Okanagan Valley. British Columbia distillers produce many distinguished spirits, while we also brew popular domestic and delicious craft beers,” Eby said in the statement.

He also said his government will introduce legislation this week to address “unprecedented threats” from the United States.

The province’s association of wine producers welcomed the move.

“This decision puts the interests of BC’s wine industry front and center,” said Paul Sawler, chair of Wine Growers BC. “It’s particularly important as our wineries are still recovering from the devastating cold snap of January 2024, which caused significant damage to our vineyards.”

Mark Sheridan of Hester Creek Estate Winery said increasing demand for B.C. wines is being seen.

“By removing U.S. wine from the shelves, BC Liquor Stores can provide local BC wineries with a fair opportunity to meet demand and recover from the challenges of the past year,” he said in a statement.

B.C.’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees, which represents bars, pubs, and private liquor stores, said while local products can replace most U.S. alcohol, there is no direct substitute for bourbon.

“We’ve got Bourbon-style whiskeys that we can produce in Canada, but those are often produced by craft distillers, so those products are probably going to be a little bit more expensive,” said executive director Jeff Guignard.

B.C.’s distribution branch said U.S. products will continue to be available for wholesale by restaurants and bars until the inventory is gone.

Trump threatened to impose a reciprocal 250 percent tariff on lumber and dairy in response to Canada’s tariffs of over 200 percent on dairy products.

Canada’s dairy, chicken, and turkey industry has a supply management system that sets prices for the products to provide stability for Canadian farmers and consumers.

The initial 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports were imposed because Trump says Canada has not done enough to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from crossing the border.

The president has paused tariffs on items that fall under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement until April 2, saying he did it to help Canada as well as Mexico, which is facing similar tariffs from the United States.

Trump has also ordered his officials to review existing trade deals and recommend additional retaliatory tariffs by April 2.

U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum products from all countries, including Canada, are set to begin March 12. Trump had threatened to double the tariffs after Ontario imposed a 25 percent retaliatory tax on energy exports to the U.S., but both countries backed down after agreeing to meet in Washington on March 13 to discuss the USMCA.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.