U.S. bans on Canadian alcohol, whey and motorcycles take effect

United States import bans on a range of Canadian products took effect just after midnight Tuesday, escalating a trade dispute that has already brought steep tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in cross-border goods. White House proclamations exclude from entry Canadian beer, wine, cider, whiskies, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, tequila, molasses, whey and whey products, non-alcoholic beer, and motorcycles with engines over 800 cubic centimetres, for goods imported on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept. 29.

Quebec-based BRP Inc. has confirmed that its Valcourt-built Can-Am Spyder and Canyon three-wheel models fall under the motorcycle exclusion. Products imported earlier but not yet entered for consumption remain subject to the previously imposed 50 per cent duties. The bans follow a Sept. 8 Canadian retaliatory tariff package and earlier U.S. Section 338 measures tied to disputes over alcoholic beverages and related commerce.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he still expects a deal, suggesting Canada would eventually ask to remove tariffs. Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s office said Ottawa’s priority remains protecting Canadian workers and businesses from what it called unjustified actions, while diversifying partnerships abroad. Analysts note the banned categories are limited in overall trade volume, but say outright exclusions are harder to unwind than tariffs.

Sources

CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/us-canadian-booze-ban-whisky-wine-beer-9.7361385

NBC News — https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/motorcycles-booze-us-ban-1-billion-canadian-imports-takes-effect-rcna600421

Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-09-29/booze-dairy-motorcycles-u-s-ban-on-canadian-imports-takes-effect