Quebec’s provincial liquor board faces the prospect of destroying $300,000 worth of American alcohol that has been banned from store shelves since March in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
The Société des alcools du Québec has kept US alcohol purchased before the March 4 boycott in storage, but may be forced to destroy products nearing expiration unless the government changes its guidelines, officials said Thursday.
“The scenario surrounding these products has not yet been finalized and the operation is still ongoing,” liquor board spokesperson Laurianne Tardif said in a statement.
At risk are primarily rosé wines, boxed wines, ready-to-drink cocktails, and select beers and liqueurs that cannot withstand extended storage periods.
Quebec Premier François Legault ordered the state-owned corporation to remove US alcohol from shelves as part of Canada’s retaliation against Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. The move came as Canada imposed $155 billion in counter-tariffs on American products.
Several provinces initially joined the alcohol boycott, including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. However, Alberta and Saskatchewan have since reversed course and resumed selling US alcohol products.
In June, SAQ President Jacques Farcy said the stored American products retained their value but acknowledged that extended storage could prompt discussions about their ultimate fate.
The office of Quebec Finance Minister Éric Girard did not immediately respond to questions about whether the government would modify the ban to prevent waste of pre-boycott inventory.
Trade measures targeting alcohol sales are among the most visible impacts of the escalating tariff dispute between the US and Canada, affecting consumer choices across multiple provinces.
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