California Democrat Urges Canada to End US Alcohol Boycott, Citing ‘Devastating Harm to Winegrowers’

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks at a press conference about the introduction of the Drain the Slush Fund Act on June 1 in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert

A Democratic U.S. senator is urging Canada to end its restrictions on American wine, marking the latest bipartisan effort to pressure Canadian provinces into restoring U.S. alcohol products to store shelves.

According to The Canadian Press, California Sen. Adam Schiff sent a letter in June to Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette asking the province to resume imports and sales of American wine. Schiff highlighted the request publicly on Thursday.

“Canada’s boycott of California wine is causing devastating harm to winegrowers,” Schiff wrote on Substack. “I’m urging the Canadian government to recognize that California doesn’t agree with these tariff wars, to lift these restrictions, and increase consumer options to strengthen both our economies.”

Several Canadian provinces stopped purchasing American alcohol in 2025 after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and repeatedly suggested Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

While Alberta and Saskatchewan have since resumed selling American alcohol, major markets including Ontario and Quebec continue to keep most U.S. wine, beer and spirits off government store shelves.

Schiff’s appeal comes as pressure from Washington has expanded beyond Republican lawmakers.

Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of 14 California lawmakers also asked Quebec to restore American wine sales, arguing that the restrictions have eliminated access to a market worth roughly $434 million.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York recently introduced the Combating Attacks on our National Alcoholic Drinks by Allies Act, or CANADA Act. The legislation would require the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate whether Canadian provincial liquor boards violate U.S. trade law by restricting American alcohol.

If the investigation finds unfair trade practices, the U.S. could respond with additional tariffs or other trade measures.

American alcohol industry groups have also intensified their lobbying efforts. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States says Canada’s retaliatory restrictions contributed to a 63% decline in U.S. spirits exports to Canada in 2025, while the American Whiskey Association has backed congressional efforts to investigate the provincial bans.

Despite the growing political pressure, Quebec says its position has not changed.

A spokesperson for Fréchette told The Canadian Press the province will maintain its restrictions for as long as U.S. tariffs remain in place.

“In the context of the ongoing trade war, the premier continues to defend Quebec’s economic interests,” the spokesperson said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has taken a similar stance, repeatedly saying American alcohol will not return to LCBO shelves until the United States removes its tariffs on Canadian goods.

This week, after news of Tenney’s proposed legislation, Ford reiterated that position.

“We won’t back down,” he wrote. “The fastest and only way to get U.S. alcohol back on Ontario shelves is for the U.S. to drop its illegal tariffs on Canada.”

The dispute continues as uncertainty also surrounds the future of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), after the Trump administration announced it would not seek an immediate renewal of the trade pact, triggering a formal review process.