'Toasts Not Tariffs' Coalition Urges Trump to Resolve Bev/Al Trade Dispute with Canada

 The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition, representing 59 national and state organizations across the U.S. beverage alcohol supply chain, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump expressing appreciation for his efforts to address Canada's restrictions on U.S. wine and spirits products while urging his continued leadership to secure a permanent resolution that restores market access for American producers and protects U.S. hospitality businesses.

In the letter, the coalition emphasized the significant economic importance of the U.S. wine and spirits sectors, which generate more than $573 billion in economic activity and support approximately 3.5 million jobs across farming, production, distribution, retail, restaurants, bars, hotels, tourism and related industries nationwide.

The coalition noted that Canada has long been one of the most important export markets for U.S. wine and spirits producers, helping support American jobs, investment and economic growth.

The letter highlighted the severe impact of Canada's provincial bans on U.S. beverage alcohol products. Since U.S. wine and spirits were removed from store shelves in 2025, U.S. spirits exports to Canada have fallen by 70%, from $232 million to $72 million, while U.S. wine exports to Canada have declined by 87%, dropping from $456 million to $60 million.

The coalition also cautioned that, absent a resolution, trade restrictions imposed by the United States could extend the economic impact beyond U.S. wine and spirits producers to the broader U.S. hospitality sector.

"Wine and spirits bans are not in the best interest of consumers and risk lost sales for U.S. hospitality businesses at a time when many are already facing economic challenges," the coalition wrote.

The coalition noted that Canada has long been one of the most important export markets for U.S. wine and spirits producers, helping support American jobs, investment and economic growth.

The letter highlighted the severe impact of Canada's provincial bans on U.S. beverage alcohol products. Since U.S. wine and spirits were removed from store shelves in 2025, U.S. spirits exports to Canada have fallen by 70%, from $232 million to $72 million, while U.S. wine exports to Canada have declined by 87%, dropping from $456 million to $60 million.

The coalition also cautioned that, absent a resolution, trade restrictions imposed by the United States could extend the economic impact beyond U.S. wine and spirits producers to the broader U.S. hospitality sector.

 "Wine and spirits bans are not in the best interest of consumers and risk lost sales for U.S. hospitality businesses at a time when many are already facing economic challenges," the coalition wrote.

"Importers, distributors, retailers, restaurants and bars rely on a diverse portfolio of products from both sides of the border. As the U.S. hospitality sector enters the critical holiday planning and purchasing season, businesses are making inventory decisions that will shape their operations for months. Additional trade restrictions would create uncertainty, disrupt supply chains, reduce consumer choice and raise costs at a time when many businesses already face economic headwinds."