SAQ to return American products from shelves following tariff pause

By News Staff

The American products that were to be removed from SAQ shelves as retaliatory measures for Donald Trump’s tariffs can remain there, says Quebec Premier François Legault.

It comes after a 30-day pause was granted Monday evening by U.S. President Donald Trump in the trade war with Canada.

The SAQ was previously asked to remove “all American products” from its shelves by Tuesday – when 25 per cent tariffs were to be imposed on Canadian goods. Quebec’s Crown liquor board was also asked to stop supplying American alcoholic beverages to grocery stores, bars, and restaurants in the province.

According to the SAQ’s 2023 annual report, “still wines” of American origin represented 6.8 per cent of the market share.

Quebec’s retaliatory measure is on pause, but Legault is still deploring the uncertainty that persists and wants to accelerate investments as well as the diversification of exports.

“It’s good news, but the sword (of Damocles) remains above our heads and it’s not good for the economy,” said Legault Monday evening in Montreal after having met throughout the day with major executives of financial institutions, the Caisse de dépôt and Hydro-Québec.

Legault maintained he wants to reduce Quebec’s dependence on the American market, but acknowledged that it is “not an easy task.”

He said his government would improve market diversification and business productivity increase programs, because according to him, there is a productivity problem and Quebec is therefore vulnerable.

The Quebec premier also indicated Hydro-Québec would accelerate its investment program and that the government would also open the floodgates in terms of infrastructure.

In addition, he is also counting on reducing interprovincial barriers that harm domestic trade in Canada.

–With files from La Presse Canadienne

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today