Republican congresswoman Claudia Tenney has introduced a bill to investigate Canada over “discriminatory restrictions” on US alcohol imports.

Tenney has introduced the Combating Attacks on our National Alcoholic Drinks by Allies (Canada) Act, directing the US trade representative to initiate a Section 301 investigation into the importation and distribution of American alcoholic beverages through provincial liquor boards. 

The legislation requires an investigation to begin within 30 days of enactment to determine whether the Canadian provinces’ boycotts are actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Nearly all of Canada’s provincial liquor boards have prohibited or restricted the importation and distribution of American alcoholic beverages.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) reported in March this year that 2025 export decline was “driven primarily by downturns in two key established markets. 

“Exports to Canada dropped sharply following the removal of American-made spirits from provincial store shelves beginning in March 2025,” the report said.

Exports to Canada fell more than 70% year-over-year from the start of the retaliatory ban in March through December. 

Since the boycott began, Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only two provinces that have since lifted their bans. 

Tenney’s Canada Act follows comments from US trade representative ambassador Jamieson Greer, who said this dispute would likely require an enforcement action.

“Canadian provinces cannot be allowed to hold American wineries, breweries, and distilleries hostage and attempt to ransom them,” added Tenney. 

“American wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other beverage producers deserve fair access to Canadian markets, not discriminatory treatment from one of our closest trading partners. Nearly all of Canada’s provincial liquor boards have unfairly targeted US producers and harmed hardworking American businesses due to unrelated policy issues. 

“Given that the Canadian provinces have refused to act in a constructive manner, I introduced the Canada Act to ensure the United States takes the necessary steps to hold Canada accountable until the provinces decide to drop their unjustifiable import bans. America must always stand up for our producers, our workers, and fair trade,” Tenney continued.

This legislation is also supported by the Wine Institute, American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), and Wine America.

“For too long, America’s craft distillers have been caught in the middle of a trade dispute that has nothing to do with them. We appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s leadership in bringing renewed attention to the discriminatory treatment of US craft spirits in Canada and hope this legislation encourages serious negotiations that restore fair market access for American producers,” said  ACSA chief executive Emily Pennington.

Wine America executive director Michael Kaiser added: “Losing the Canadian market for our products has hurt wineries from Willamette Valley in Oregon to the Finger Lakes in New York. The Canada Act is a good step to re-opening that market to American wines.”