The US National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers comes out every year and details what the US Administration views as foreign country barriers to US trade. This year’s report on Canada has a number of new issues, related to the trade disruption the Trump Administration has wrought, and the Canadian reaction to it.
As a negotiator, I suppose it’s always interesting to know the issues on your negotiating partner’s mind, and how they characterize them. But I have to say it’s probably high time for Canada, and other countries, to begin to publicize the policies that are in place in the U.S. that operate as barriers to trade. Interests in the US need to clearly understand they are not above maintaining their own rather egregious trade barriers. I believe the EU (still) does this…and maybe others…
The Canadian Press Mar 31, 2026
Provincial rules around alcohol and the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” policy have been flagged in a new report citing several trade irritants between Canada and the U.S.
The annual document prepared by the Office of the United States Trade Representative said market access barriers imposed by provincial liquor control boards “greatly hamper” exports of U.S. wine, beer and spirits to Canada.
Several Canadian provinces pulled American booze from shelves last year after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs, and the document said the U.S. wants its alcohol to “immediately and permanently” return to all markets.
The document also raised concerns about the federal government’s “Buy Canadian” procurement policy that aims to ensure Canadian products and workers are prioritized in contracts worth $25 million or more.
The report says U.S. companies have reported concerns about barriers in competing for contracts, including being forced to share information about their boards of directors or prove their Canadian subsidiary’s independence from a U.S. parent company.
Other issues listed in the report include delays with aircraft validation in Canada and high tariffs on U.S. dairy products.
The report said U.S. imports above quota levels are subject to “prohibitively high tariffs,” including 245 per cent for cheese and 298 per cent for butter.
The report said U.S. goods exports to Canada totalled $336.5 billion US in 2025, down almost down four per cent from 2024. It also said Canada was the second-largest U.S. goods export market last year.
Read the rest of the Canadian Press story on CBC News
American booze bans, ‘Buy Canadian’ policy flagged by U.S. as trade irritants: report | CBC News
For the record, the full 2026 US National Trade Estimate report can be found at the following link.
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