Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States.

Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores.

The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

Fréchette also said Quebec would not accept trade proposals that weaken the province’s supply management system or changes she says could affect Quebec’s culture and French-language protections.

A new round of 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on a range of Canadian goods is scheduled to take effect Aug. 19. Unlike many other U.S. tariffs, the new measures would not exempt goods that comply with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, according to the supplied report.