Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Urges President Trump to Resolve U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition has submitted a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting a permanent resolution to the U.S.-Canada beverage alcohol trade dispute, citing steep export drops and potential disruptions to the domestic hospitality sector.
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition, representing 59 national and state organizations across the U.S. beverage alcohol supply chain, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump calling for a permanent resolution to an ongoing trade dispute with Canada regarding wine and spirits.
In the letter, the coalition expressed appreciation for President Trump's efforts to address Canadian trade restrictions while urging continued leadership to restore market access for American producers. The organization emphasized that Canada has historically served as one of the most critical export markets for U.S. wine and spirits producers, supporting domestic jobs, investment, and economic growth.
The trade dispute centers on Canadian provincial bans enacted in 2025, which removed U.S. wine and spirits from retail shelves. According to figures provided in the letter, these restrictions caused U.S. spirits exports to Canada to drop by 70%, falling from $232 million to $72 million. During the same period, U.S. wine exports to Canada experienced an 87% decline, dropping from $456 million to $60 million.
Beyond export losses for U.S. producers, the coalition warned that prospective trade restrictions or bans imposed by the United States on Canadian alcohol could cause broader economic harm to domestic hospitality businesses. Importers, distributors, retailers, bars, and restaurants rely on cross-border product portfolios. The coalition noted that additional trade barriers would disrupt supply chains, elevate operational costs, reduce consumer choices, and create uncertainty during the critical holiday planning and purchasing season.
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition highlighted the broader economic footprint of the U.S. wine and spirits sectors, reporting that the industry generates over $573 billion in economic activity and supports approximately 3.5 million jobs across farming, production, distribution, retail, and hospitality nationwide.
The group urged the administration to secure an agreement that eliminates provincial bans, returns American wine and spirits to Canadian store shelves, prevents further product restrictions, and provides long-term stability for workers and businesses across the beverage alcohol supply chain.
Key facts
- The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition represents 59 national and state organizations across the U.S. beverage alcohol industry.
- Since Canadian provincial bans removed U.S. products from store shelves in 2025, U.S. spirits exports to Canada fell 70% from $232 million to $72 million.
- U.S. wine exports to Canada fell 87% from $456 million to $60 million following the 2025 provincial bans.
- The U.S. wine and spirits sectors generate over $573 billion in economic activity and support about 3.5 million jobs nationwide.
- The coalition warned that potential U.S. bans on Canadian alcohol would harm domestic hospitality businesses, importers, distributors, retailers, bars, and restaurants during the holiday inventory planning season.
Why it matters
The trade dispute highlights severe export losses for U.S. wine and spirits producers in Canada and underscores risks to cross-border supply chains. Continued restrictions or counter-tariffs threaten sales and inventory planning for U.S. importers, distributors, and hospitality establishments ahead of the peak holiday season.
- Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) — News: “Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Sends Letter to President Trump Urging Resolution of U.S.-Canada Beverage Alcohol Trade Dispute”
This article was prepared by WBI.org from the sources listed above with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a WBI editor before publication. Information is attributed to its original sources.