If U.S. booze returns to shelves, 'leave it there,' Manitoba premier says

If U.S. booze returns to shelves, 'leave it there,' Manitoba premier says

Kinew says he doesn't think he'll be satisfied by deal, 'but it's not about me, it's about Team Canada'

If American liquor returns to Canadian shelves, shoppers should "leave it there," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says.

Canadian and U.S. officials are working on finalizing a deal that would avert new U.S. tariffs on nearly $30 billion in Canadian goods. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his negotiators discussed the prospective deal with his cabinet and the premiers.

Kinew says Carney asked the provinces to return American alcohol to store shelves, but Manitoba has yet to agree to that.

If the provinces return U.S. products to Liquor Marts as part of a potential trade deal, Kinew said Canadians should "leave it there."

"Don't buy it. Let it sit on the shelf … and buy the Canadian stuff instead," he told reporters during a noon-hour news conference in his office Thursday.

"Let's send a message that … we don't like Donald Trump's approach to trade or his way of treating Canada."

'I think we should fight,' Manitoba premier says as U.S., Canada work to finalize trade deal

Carney gave the premiers some details about the tentative deal with the U.S. and "effectively" said an agreement won't be signed by the end of the week if the provinces don't agree to reshelve American liquor, Kinew said.

"I wouldn't say that he was begging us, but what is a step before begging?"

Canada should fight for a good deal, Kinew said.

"I think Donald Trump is very weak. I think America is weaker around the world today than it was a year ago. He's about to get slaughtered in the midterms," he said.

"I think we've got the upper hand. They're back on their heels right now. They're coming to us for a deal, and so I think we should fight."

Kinew also said he doesn't expect to be satisfied with whatever deal may be reached.

"But it's not about me, it's about Team Canada — what we've been saying for the past year, year and a half, since all this tariff nonsense started."

Ozten Shebahkeget is a member of Northwest Angle 33 First Nation who was born and raised in Winnipeg. She started writing for CBC Manitoba during the first Pathways program in 2022. She holds a master's degree in writing from the University of Saskatchewan.