‘A bad taste left in my mouth’: Will Canadians buy U.S. booze again?

American booze may soon return to Canadian store shelves, ending a series of bans by provincial retailers in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war. Some politicians and consumers say they’re not in the mood to say “cheers” with U.S. products.

According to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked the provinces to clear the way for liquor retailers to restock banned American products. Kinew described Carney as virtually begging first ministers to honour this request. He says reaching a Canada-U.S. trade deal by the end of the week could actually hinge on the booze issue.

“I was told by the prime minister that he wants us to put the booze back on the shelves,” Kinew told reporters on Thursday. “I wouldn’t say he was begging us, but what is a step before begging?”

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says lifting the ban is “possible” in her province, pending analysis of how new Canada-U.S. trade terms will impact Quebec’s economy.

“We need to have a global view. The complete view of the impact on Quebec’s economy,” she told CBC News on Thursday. “If it is globally positive, it is possible that we put back the alcohol on the shelves of the SAQ.”

A media officer for SAQ told Radio-Canada that American booze is currently being stored in warehouses in Montreal and Quebec City, and putting these products back on store shelves could take some time.

Keep buying Canadian, Kinew says

Kinew says consumers should continue buying Canadian, even if U.S products are once again available. He noted that his province has not yet agreed to resume sales of American alcohol.

WATCH | Quebec premier on lifting the U.S. booze ban:

U.S. liquor will go back on shelves if tariff deal is ‘positive’ for Quebec, premier says

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says she had a ‘long conversation’ with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday morning during which he answered many of her questions about provisions of a tentative U.S. trade deal. Fréchette says she’s analyzing the information and if it’s positive for Quebec, her government will put U.S. alcohol back on shelves.

“When we put the American booze back on the Liquor Mart shelves, Canadians, leave it there,” he said. “Spend your money on Canadian products that are going to employ people in our country.”

Yukon’s government said on Thursday that consumers in the territory can expect a gradual return of U.S.-made alcohol brands in stores in the coming weeks “in the event of a deal.”

Provincial bans on U.S. booze sales have been a powerful point of leverage for Canada throughout the trade talks.

According to the White House, American businesses and workers, and U.S. commerce, have suffered as provinces and territories rolled out “unreasonable…