SASKATOON — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has announced that the province will impose a reciprocal 50 percent tax on alcohol imported from the United States. The new trade measure will take effect on September 8. The decision comes as a direct response to a 50 percent tariff placed on Canadian alcohol by the U.S. government on August 22.
Speaking to reporters in Prince Albert, Premier Moe clarified that American alcohol products will not be removed from provincial store shelves. Instead, the government is leaving purchasing choices entirely to consumers. Moe noted that consumer purchasing behavior has already reflected public sentiment, with sales of American liquor in the province dropping by approximately 40 percent.
While Premier Moe expressed support for the federal government’s targeted retaliatory tariffs against American trade policies, he firmly opposed applying export taxes to key natural resources such as potash and crude oil.
He warned that export duties on primary resources would harm Canadian employment and the broader economy, while driving up retail prices for gasoline and agricultural fertilizers. Premier Moe emphasized that the ultimate objective remains returning to the negotiating table to reach a fair trade agreement with the U.S.
