The sharp words from Manitoba’s leader echoed across the border Thursday, cutting through the usual diplomatic niceties. Premier Wab Kinew didn’t mince his terms, labeling the American president a “bad person” who is “erratic” and “not to be trusted.” His critique came not from the sidelines, but from the heart of tense negotiations where his province holds a key card: the sale of American alcohol on local shelves. This provincial power has unexpectedly become a central friction point in the final stages of a broader trade deal.
Kinew’s stance presents a stark contrast to the cautiously optimistic tone from federal negotiators. Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister overseeing the Canada-U.S. file, stated plainly, “We’re very close. We continue to make progress,” after meetings in Washington. President Trump has called the emerging framework “very fair.” Yet, with the threat of 50% U.S. tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods looming at the week’s end, the pressure is immense. Kinew argues that pressure is not one-sided. “We’ve got the upper hand,” he insisted, pointing to American political vulnerabilities. “They are back on their heels right now. They are coming to us for a deal.”
The premier’s leverage stems from a coordinated provincial retaliation. Eight of Canada’s ten provinces, including Manitoba, restricted or banned U.S. alcohol sales in response to earlier Trump tariffs and inflammatory rhetoric. These bans hit a nerve. Ontario’s government-run LCBO, a global purchasing giant, alone had bought nearly a billion dollars worth annually. Restoring that access is now a clear American demand. Federal negotiators, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, have thus strongly urged premiers to lift their bans as a goodwill gesture to seal the wider agreement.
- Kinew’s sharp critique of the American president
- The contrast with federal negotiators’ optimism
- The leverage from coordinated provincial actions
- Impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods
- Concerns about the nature of the negotiation
- A call to Canadians for national solidarity in spending
“I wouldn’t say that he was begging us,” Kinew said of Carney’s appeal, “but what is the step before begging?” His colorful description underscores the awkward dance between federal diplomacy and provincial autonomy. While provinces cannot veto the international treaty, their control over liquor boards and procurement gives them substantial sway over its practical implementation. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham indicated a consensus was forming among premiers to restore sales, though not all have publicly agreed. Quebec’s leader, Christine Fréchette, emphasized any decision for her province would be Quebec’s alone.
Despite possibly relenting on the alcohol ban as part of a “Team Canada” approach, Kinew’s deeper warning is about the nature of the man across the table. His skepticism is rooted in a pattern of behavior. “Do we expect that this is going to be the end of Donald Trump?” he asked rhetorically, referencing a trade dynamic some analysts call “TACO”—Trump Always Chickens Out—where extreme threats are followed by retreats. For Kinew, this inconsistency makes any concession risky. “You can’t make a good deal with a bad person, because who’s to say it’s not going to be undone?”
| Key Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Leader’s Stance | Wab Kinew calls U.S. president “bad person” |
| Federal Tone | Cautiously optimistic with indications of progress |
| Provincial Leverage | Eight provinces have banned U.S. alcohol sales |
| Impact of Tariffs | Threat of 50% tariffs on $20 billion of goods |
| Call to Action | Kinew urges Canadians to support local products |
| Final Negotiations | Pressure to strike a balance between interests |
His final plea was directly to Canadian consumers. Even if American products return to the Liquor Mart shelves, he urged, “Canadians, leave it there. Spend your money on Canadian products.” It’s a call that transforms a trade negotiation into a matter of national solidarity, framing every purchase as a vote of confidence in a country standing its ground. As the Saturday tariff deadline approaches, the challenge for Canada’s leadership is clear: secure a deal that protects economic interests without conceding to what one premier openly calls an untrustworthy partner. The final terms, still undisclosed, will reveal where that balance was struck.
