Doug Ford ‘more than happy’ to bring U.S. alcohol back if a ‘fair deal’ is reached

OTTAWA – Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was open to putting U.S. alcohol back on the shelves in his province if the federal government secures a “fair deal” with the U.S.

“If we get a fair deal that will protect our steel sector, our auto sector, our forestry sector, agriculture sector, manufacturing sector, then we’d be more than happy to bring booze back on the shelves only if we have a deal that’s going to protect those sectors,” said Ford, during a press conference in Guelph, Ont., on Thursday.

Canada and the U.S. are currently in intense trade talks in Washington, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened last month to impose a 50 per cent tariff on $29 billion worth of Canadian goods, effective Aug. 19. The president used powers under Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act.

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Canadian and American negotiators have been meeting daily, to hammer out a deal ahead of the new U.S. tariff deadline.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette are scheduled to meet with Trump’s top trade envoy on Thursday afternoon. It would be the second such meeting in the last three days.

Some concessions Canada is willing to make in trade talks include lifting counter tariffs on American autos and ending the boycott of U.S. alcoholic products by provincial liquor commissions.

There have also been discussions about how American quotas are allocated under Canada’s dairy supply management system.

In return, Canada is looking to avoid the Section 338 tariffs that are set to take effect next week. Negotiators are also looking for tariff relief on steel, aluminum, autos and lumber.

The premier was asked on Thursday what he would consider a fair deal, noting the likelihood that any agreement with the U.S. would still include some tariff rate on these sectoral goods.

“We have to match tariff for tariff,” Ford replied. “We can’t negotiate through weakness.”

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette also signalled earlier this week that she would be open to returning U.S. wines to Quebec liquor shelves, but only if progress is shown on the trade front.

Fréchette met with Quebec industry representatives on Thursday, where she noted the province’s economy has remained resilient, but stressed the importance of creating more stability amid an uncertain trade relationship with the U.S.