LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Amid the tariff dispute, Canada’s prime minister is calling on Canadians to ditch American-made products, including bourbon.
“Now is also the time to choose Canada. There are many ways for you to do your part, it might mean checking the labels at the supermarket and picking Canadian-made products, it might mean opting for Canadian rye over Kentucky bourbon, or forgoing Florida orange juice altogether,” said Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada.
It’s estimated that 95% of the world’s bourbon comes from Kentucky.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said the tariffs could be harmful to North American Industries.
The Distilled Spirits Council is encouraging Canada to exclude bourbon and American whiskeys from its retaliatory tariffs.
“Because we believe we can make a case to the Trump administration because of the distinctive nature of the product. Canadian whiskey shouldn’t be on that tariff list either,” Chris Swonger, President and CEO of Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Swonger said American whiskey can only be made in the U.S., Canadian whiskey can only be made in Canada, and tequila in Mexico.
“So we’re not like for like, products and it’s going to have a real impact on the greater hospitality industry, the agriculture community, bars, restaurants, great people like bartenders that bring cheer to downtowns and cities across the country,” Swonger said.
Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s signature industries, generating $9 billion in economic impact in the state in 2023, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
“These are our families, our neighbors. My job is to fight for you no matter your party. My job is to fight for Kentucky, and I will do it the very best I can, but I need your help. Contact the federal delegation, tell them that we don’t need to be caught up in all this,” Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. said in a social media post.
Republican Rep. James Comer said he expressed his concern with President Trump about the impact tariffs could have on Kentucky’s bourbon and soybean industries.
“He’s aware of that and, he thinks that, you know, we’ve just got to get back to the bargaining table and negotiate,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.
Swonger said until these tariffs, there were no trade barriers for spirits between Canada, Mexico and the United States and he said that’s why the industries have thrived.
“The best way for American whiskey and Kentucky bourbon to compete is there’s no tariffs. There has been great growth for the Kentucky bourbon industry in markets when there’s been zero for zero tariffs,” Swonger said.
The premier of Ontario Canada said the Liquor Control Board of Ontario will stop selling American products on Tuesday Feb. 4, 2025.
EU tariffs could also strike American whiskeys at the end of March 2025.
The EU said it will reimpose a currently suspended tariff on American whiskeys, this time at 50%, if the EU and the U.S. don’t agree in a dispute over steel and aluminum imports into the U.S.