As U.S. bans prevent New Brunswick malt beer and molasses from entering the American market, Premier Susan Holt said she’s feeling frustrated. “It feels like nearly two years of threats and attacks from Trump. And now we have tariffs in place that are hurting New Brunswick businesses,” she said. The U.S. bans impact several Canadian alcohols, including malt beer, wine, brandy and whiskey, as well as molasses and whey powder. In 2025, New Brunswick exported $6.2 million in packaged beer and $381,218 in molasses, according to the province. On Monday, Moosehead’s president and CEO saidif the liquor ban continued indefinitely, the company may have to go out of business in the U.S. The bans also come amidst pre-existing tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood lumber and concerns about the New Brunswick lumber industry. “We’re trying to minimize the damage as much as possible. But there will come a point where if this continues and it continues in the wrong direction, then then we will hit a breaking point,” Holt said. But she said the province is “quite a ways away” from that point. Her bigger concern is when it’s no longer sustainable for businesses to operate. “Companies that are seeing their biggest customer take a 50 per cent hit in either their purchases or their profitability, that company’s breaking point is a matter of months away. And then that ends up hurting their employees, their local supply chain, the entire community,” she said. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he’s hearing similar concerns from the premier and others. “We hear from businessowners in every part of this province, and my colleagues do right across the country, concerned about the effects that these tariffs are having,” he said. The ban comes amidst other economic concerns, including a record-high provincial deficit and the “temporary idling” of the Nackawic pulp mill. “There’s no question that there are serious challenges in front of us,” Holt said. “It’s a balancing act. And it’s very concerning because we want to make sure we’re delivering the best health care possible to New Brunswickers, we want to make sure this is a place where you can live.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
