Yukon Premier Currie Dixon has announced that Yukoners may soon see American-made alcohol products back on the shelves of government-run stores in the territory. This will happen if trade representatives from Canada and the U.S. are able to strike a deal that avoids U.S. tariffs on $30 billion worth of Canadian goods.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Premier Dixon mentioned that Prime Minister Mark Carney has requested the territory to reintroduce U.S. alcohol products in stores. Dixon stated, “The prime minister has made this request within the context of a deal that serves the best interests of the country. Based on this, I have agreed, and steps are being taken to comply with this request.”
The presence of American-made alcohol on Canadian store shelves has been a contentious issue for the Trump administration. A proclamation issued by the White House on July 20 threatened to impose additional import duties, including a 50% tariff on certain products, to counter what it perceives as “discrimination” against U.S. alcoholic beverages.
President Donald Trump recently extended the deadline for tariff talks to August 19, providing negotiators from both countries with an extra 72 hours to reach an agreement.
Last March, the Yukon Liquor Corporation removed U.S. alcohol products from its shops. However, the remaining U.S. inventory, constituting less than half a percent of the corporation’s total inventory, is still available to licensees, including restaurants. The liquor corporation disclosed that it sold approximately $2.3 million worth of U.S. products to retail customers and licensees in 2024, accounting for about 5.4% of total net sales and 1.9% of total volume sold.
Jen Gehmair, the territorial minister responsible for the liquor corporation and the economic development minister, emphasized the coordinated approach taken by Canada and the Yukon in navigating tariffs. She expressed optimism that the temporary boycott of U.S. alcohol products will be resolved through negotiations, benefiting Canadian residents, workers, and businesses.
Gehmair acknowledged that the Yukon has experienced a lesser direct impact from U.S. tariffs due to its limited export market. However, she noted that the construction industry has felt the effects of the tariffs.
Premier Dixon’s statement indicated that if the deal progresses, Yukoners can anticipate a gradual reintroduction of U.S. alcohol to government store shelves in the upcoming weeks. Visitors to Yukon, like Louis Hendrikx from southern Ontario, have varying opinions on the matter, with some preferring Canadian products while awaiting further developments on the trade deal.