Canadian officials divided over Carney's push to restore US trade ties “Don’t buy it!”

Canadian and US officials are working to finalise a deal that could avert new US tariffs on nearly CAD$30 billion worth of Canadian goods. However, opposition to closer trade ties with the United States remains strong in parts of Canada, with the premier of Manitoba urging residents not to buy American products even if they return to store shelves.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had asked the provinces to return American alcohol to their stores, as Canadian media reports, but Manitoba had yet to agree to the request.

Kinew said he was reluctantly open to restocking US liquor as part of a potential trade agreement, but urged Canadians to avoid buying it. If the provinces return US products to Liquor Marts as part of a potential trade deal, Kinew said Canadians would still have the choice to "leave it there."

"Don't buy it. Let it sit on the shelf […] and buy the Canadian stuff instead," he told reporters during a news conference at his office on August 20.

"Let's send a message that […] we don't like Donald Trump's approach to trade or his way of treating Canada."

Manitoba removed millions of dollars worth of US-made alcohol from its stores in 2025 in retaliation for then-President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods that did not comply with the Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement.

The province briefly returned some of its stockpile to store shelves in December, prompting long queues as Manitobans rushed to buy American liquor before Christmas. The province subsequently donated CAD$2.6 million in proceeds to holiday charities.

American wines and liqueurs that were expected to expire in the autumn were also sold at Liquor Marts in May.

However, Manitoba residents continued to favour locally produced alternatives even when US alcohol was available. The province said in June that sales of Canadian products at its Liquor Marts had increased by nearly CAD$21 million year-on-year.

Other Canadian provinces have already returned US alcohol to their shelves.

Alberta removed US alcohol from stores in March 2025 in line with other provinces, but lifted the ban three months later. The provincial government said at the time that bringing American products back demonstrated a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade." Saskatchewan also briefly introduced a ban in March 2025 before reversing the measure two months later.

Pushback to mending US-Canadian ties

Kinew said Carney had also asked provincial premiers not to exclude the United States from their government procurement policies.

Since the trade dispute began last year, Manitoba's procurement policies have favoured Canadian or non-American suppliers. According to Kinew, this has contributed to an 82% year-on-year decline in the province’s spending on American companies.

"That's had a huge impact, by the way," he said. "You can see why the Trump administration is coming to Canada and asking for a deal."

However, Manitoba’s opposition leader disputed the premier’s claims about the province’s support for Canadian businesses.

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan argued that the 82% figure was overstated, pointing to a CAD$36 million contract awarded to US-based food services company Aramark in July 2025.

"The premier is still doling out millions to American companies," Khan told CBC News.

The dispute comes as Canadian and US officials seek to resolve trade tensions and prevent further tariffs, with provincial policies and consumer boycotts emerging as additional pressure points in the negotiations.

By Nazrin Sadigova