The popular Tennessee whiskey has been removed from some Canadian grocery stores
You might have been left wondering what Canada has against Jack Daniel’s.
Earlier this month, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) made waves by pulling US-made drinks off its shelves—an action that Ontario Premier Doug Ford had hinted at back in January.
In an official statement, the LCBO revealed that it had “ceased the purchase of all US products,” and announced that both retail customers and wholesale clients could no longer purchase US drinks online or through the LCBO app. This decision came as part of the ongoing trade tensions between the US and Canada, which escalated after former President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods.
As a result, Canada retaliated by imposing the same 25 percent tariffs on US products, including alcohol. The move by the LCBO took things further, with American drinks like Jack Daniel’s being removed from store shelves. A viral video showing a store worker removing Jack Daniel’s bottles from display captured the public’s attention, as the trade war continues to impact everyday consumers on both sides of the border.
The LCBO’s decision to remove American-made alcohol from store shelves has garnered mixed reactions. On one hand, some Canadians, like Leah Russell, manager of Toronto’s Madison Avenue pub, are in favor of supporting local businesses. Russell told BBC News, “I’m glad that we’re getting rid of American products and supporting local businesses. I think it’s an important thing to do.”
However, not everyone is on board with the move. Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel’s, expressed its frustration. CEO Lawson Whiting spoke out about the viral video of a worker removing the brand from shelves, calling it “worse than a tariff” during a financial earnings call. “It’s literally taking your sales away, completely removing our products from the shelves,” he added, emphasizing the significant impact of the decision.
As the trade tensions continue, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has denounced the US tariffs as “unjustified,” further escalating the rhetoric between the two countries. The situation remains fluid, with both sides feeling the effects of this trade war on their economies and everyday consumers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly criticized the U.S. decision to proceed with tariffs on Canadian goods. In a statement released on March 3, Trudeau expressed his frustration, saying, “After a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 percent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.”
The following day, the LCBO took a decisive step in response to the ongoing trade tensions, announcing it would pull American liquors from shelves across Canada. This move was seen as a direct retaliation against the U.S.’s tariff imposition, and it sparked both support and criticism within the Canadian public.
