‘The short answer is no’: Fréchette rules out returning American alcohol to Quebec shelves

Newly appointed Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette has ruled out returning American alcohol products to shelves, saying Canada must not make concessions before trade talks begin with the United States.

“The short answer is no,” Fréchette said Thursday, speaking at a press conference in Montreal. “I don’t think that we should make concessions before having discussions with our American partners. We are their most important trade partner, and therefore we need to have discussions before putting any concession on the table.”

Fréchette also said key Quebec industries, like dairy and cultural matters, were off-limits in any future negotiations.

“This must not be on the table. Prime Minister Carney spoke with me a few days ago, and he reassured me.”

On Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford also rejected restoring U.S. alcohol to store shelves — unless there are prior White House concessions first.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has similarly insisted Canada will not make further concessions ahead of formal negotiations.

Tensions are flaring on both sides ahead of a July review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or CUSMA, which sets the rules for most of the country’s trade relationship with the U.S., its largest trading partner.

Earlier this week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a Senate hearing that Canada relies on the American economy and criticized provinces for removing U.S. liquor from shelves, as well as targeting industries like dairy.

The Quebec government ordered the Société des alcools du Québec to pull all U.S. alcohol from its shelves and website last March over tariffs and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

This report be updated.

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