Premier Doug Ford says Ontario will keep U.S. alcohol off store shelves until a new trade agreement with Washington is landed.

Speaking at a Globe and Mail event this Wednesday, Ford said he would reinstate American products at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario “in a heartbeat,” but only once a renewed deal is in place to replace the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement.

Until then, he said, Ontario needs to hold firm.

“You never roll over to a bully. You confront him head on,” Ford said, pointing to U.S. trade actions he says are threatening key Canadian industries, including auto manufacturing, steel, aluminum, lumber and dairy. “One of our tools is alcohol.”

The LCBO, one of the largest alcohol buyers globally, pulled U.S.-made products from its shelves more than a year ago as tensions escalated under U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, the province has leaned into promoting locally produced alternatives.

The policy has become a sticking point in cross-border trade talks. With the CUSMA up for renewal, American officials are increasingly raising the alcohol ban as a concern.

At a congressional hearing this week, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer suggested Washington may be nearing formal action if Canada does not address restrictions on wine and spirits.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen pressed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the broader fallout from the administration’s approach to Canada.

She pointed to a sharp decline in cross-border travel, saying her state saw “a 30 per cent drop in Canadian tourism,” which she linked to “the loss of trust and goodwill because of this administration’s rhetoric around Canada.”

She also took aim at Lutnick directly over past comments about Canada’s economy.

“How does insulting our closest ally and neighbour help the businesses in my state… who are hurting because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism?” Shaheen asked.

Lutnick, in response, defended the administration’s posture.

“Dairy is treated so badly,” he said, arguing the U.S. is “trying desperately” to ensure Canada adheres to its commitments under the USMCA.

But Ford dismissed the pressure, insisting Ontario would not back down without concrete concessions from the U.S.

“We have to wait until USMCA is renewed,” he said. “I don’t trust President Trump.”

The premier pointed to a previous dispute involving steel tariffs, where he said Ontario lifted a retaliatory electricity surcharge after assurances from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, only to see tariffs increase instead.

“I get rid of the surcharge and what do they do? They double up on us,” Ford said.

While Ford said he maintains a positive relationship with Lutnick, he suggested the secretary is no longer central to negotiations, adding that Greer appears to be taking the lead on the U.S. side.

“He [Lutnick] is a smart business person, but he’s not directly, deep, involved; It’s Greer that’s driving the deal,” Ford said.

For now, Ford says Ontario’s position will not change: American alcohol will remain off LCBO shelves until tariffs are lifted and a new trade deal is secured.