The United States will ban selected Canadian alcohol, whey, molasses and motorcycle imports from Tuesday, adding outright restrictions to a trade dispute already marked by steep tariffs.
Alcohol carries the largest exposure among the categories cited. Canada exported about $1.2 billion of alcoholic products to the US last year, while Spirits Canada says roughly half of the country’s $2 billion annual spirits production goes south.
A senior White House official and international trade experts said the restrictions aimed to discourage further retaliation from Canada and other countries.
Trade lawyer Barry Appleton warned that bans can prove harder to reverse than tariffs because negotiators cannot simply reduce a numerical rate.
The dairy restrictions cover eight types of whey. Canada supplied nearly half of the $73 million in general and modified whey imported into the US last year, although the affected products represent only part of that trade.
The restrictions also cover molasses products, including invert and cane molasses. Motorcycle exposure is smaller nationally. Canada exported 5,092 motorcycles in 2025.
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Quebec-based manufacturer BRP said the new measures would bar two Can-Am three-wheel models from entering the country.
Derek Holt, vice-president and head of capital markets economics at Scotiabank, expects the bans to have little effect on Canada’s economy as a whole. The restrictions will take effect at 12:01 am ET on Tuesday.
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The United States will ban selected Canadian alcohol, whey, molasses and motorcycle imports from Tuesday after months of tariffs and trade retaliation.
