The United States government is banning Canadian alcohol and several other goods starting Tuesday at 12:01 am. This move directly impacts major Saint John employers. If you live in New Brunswick, you know Moosehead Breweries and Crosby Foods Limited. Both companies spent the last few weeks rushing extra shipments across the border to beat the deadline.

According to a recent report from CTV News, the ban covers malt beer, wine, cider, whiskey, whey powder, molasses, and motorcycles.

Moosehead Fights for Shelf Space

American customers make up roughly 15 percent of the business at Moosehead Breweries. President and CEO Andrew Oland says the company pushed surplus product into the US to maintain valuable shelf space.

“It is almost surreal in terms of you know what, I never thought we would be in a position where we could not ship beer into the US,” Oland said.

Oland believes the current US stock will last until early November. If the ban continues past that point, Moosehead will need to pivot to new markets. Oland noted that an indefinite ban will put them out of business in the US.

Crosby Foods Faces Uncertainty

The ban also targets molasses. Crosby Foods Limited packages its product right here in Saint John. American buyers account for roughly three percent of their total business.

Marketing manager Peter Davis confirmed the company sent surplus product south ahead of the deadline. Davis wants to ensure their molasses reaches customers on time.

“It is just uncertainty that we are still navigating,” Davis said.

The Broader Economic Impact

This ban adds to preexisting 50 percent tariffs on roughly 28 billion dollars in Canadian goods. Asa McKercher is the Steven K. Hudson research chair in Canada and US relations at Saint Francis Xavier University. He points out that Atlantic Canada faces a smaller impact than provinces like Ontario.

“The ban itself will have less of an impact than, say, some of the tariffs that were put in place previously by the Trump administration,” McKercher said. He views this as the Trump administration signaling they have another economic stick to use against Canada. So far, the Carney government shows no interest in retaliating.

Local Support Grows

Not every local producer relies on US exports. Waterside Winery sits near the Bay of Fundy and does not ship across the border. Owner Linda Martell sees an increase in American tourists buying her wine directly.

Martell also notices New Brunswickers making intentional choices to buy local products. She finds it very encouraging to see residents prioritizing local businesses during these trade disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the US ban on Canadian goods start?

The ban officially begins on Tuesday at 12:01 am.

What products are included in the ban?

The ban restricts Canadian malt beer, wine, cider, whiskey, whey powder, molasses, and motorcycles from entering the US.

How long will Moosehead beer stay on US shelves?

Moosehead Breweries sent extra shipments before the deadline. The company expects this stock to last until early November.

Will the Canadian government retaliate?

Experts indicate the Carney government has not shown interest in retaliating against these specific bans at this time.