Relations between Canada and the United States are severely strained since President Trump imposed 1 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and even higher tariffs on steel (50 percent) and cars (25 percent).
As a result, many Canadians are no longer visiting the U.S. In response to the impact on trade relations, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario [LCBO] and the other provincial liquor monopolies that control the importation, distribution and sale of wine, spirits and beer stopped importing alcoholic beverages from the U.S. and in some provinces pulled existing inventory off the shelves. On past visits to Ontario, I bought duty-free Bourbon for my brother, who has gone without his favorite whiskey this past year.
Read Wine Spectator senior editor and Ontario native Bruce Sanderson’s column from the Feb. 28, 2026, issue, where he shares thoughts from both sides of the border.
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