Alberta has quietly reversed its short-lived boycott on American-made liquor and gambling machines, just three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced the initial restrictions in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports.
Setting the Tone for “More Constructive Negotiations”
On Friday, Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally confirmed the change, framing it as a step toward repairing trade relations between Canada and the United States.
“The decision to resume buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines sets the stage for more constructive negotiations,” Nally said in a statement.
“Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a clear effort to reset the relationship with the U.S. administration, and Alberta’s government supports this approach,” the minister added.
The original boycott, introduced in March, came in the immediate aftermath of steep tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian goods and energy exports.
In solidarity, Smith announced that Alberta would stop purchasing American-made liquor and video lottery terminals, and the province would also suspend any new contracts with U.S.-based suppliers.
Although liquor stores in Alberta are privately owned, they are still required to purchase products through the provincial distribution system, which gives the government leverage over supply chain decisions.
At the time, several other Canadian provinces also moved to retaliate, announcing symbolic or economic measures targeting American products.
Albertans Should Keep Supporting Local Producers
In light of the fast-approaching Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review in 2026, the Canadian province seems eager to de-escalate the tensions.
Minister Nelly further spoke about their focus on “highlighting Alberta’s role as a responsible and collaborative trading partner” while continuing to collaborate with other provinces “to advocate for a tariff-free relationship”.
The official also emphasized that Alberta still wants to show support for its domestic producers, even as American products begin returning to shelves.
“Albertans are encouraged to continue supporting local producers,” Nally added.
The province had already softened its stance in April, temporarily suspending its policy on American procurement “in the spirit of diplomacy,” as Nally put it at the time.
With cross-border economic tensions still simmering ahead of the CUSMA renewal talks, Alberta’s latest move signals a shift away from hardline tactics toward a more conciliatory approach.As expected, the new tariffs have boosted the price of materials needed for building slot machines, inevitably triggering budget shrinkage and making the acquisition of new machines more difficult.