Jack Daniel’s Producer Calls Canada’s Bottle Ban ‘Worse Than Tariffs’ – What This Means for Whiskey Lovers

In a bold move, several Canadian provinces are removing American alcohol from their shelves. This decision comes as a response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Canadian goods. Lawson Whiting, the CEO of Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s, called this action “worse than tariffs.”

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is among those taking action. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), one of the largest alcohol buyers globally, stopped selling U.S.-made drinks this week. Whiting described this response as “disproportionate,” explaining that it goes beyond just adding costs to products; it completely removes their sales opportunity.

In retaliation to the U.S. tariffs, Canada is hitting back with its own 25% levies on imports, including beer, spirits, and wine. Provinces like Ontario and Nova Scotia are directly implementing these measures.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that the LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of U.S. alcohol annually. He stated that starting immediately, all these products are off the shelves. For Canadians wanting to enjoy a drink, the suggestion is to explore local options instead. Interestingly, many have begun to gravitate toward Canadian-made products in light of the tariffs.

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