Manitoba Premier Calls Trump Unreliable Amid High-Stakes Trade Talks

Kinew’s comments arrive as federal trade minister Dominic LeBlanc reports that Canada and the US are nearing a final agreement. Despite the progress, the Manitoba leader remains skeptical, questioning the longevity of any deal signed with a president he characterizes as erratic and irresponsible. His stance highlights a growing tension between regional interests and the federal "Team Canada" strategy, which includes a coordinated push to restore US alcohol sales in provincial stores to appease Washington.

While provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador have signaled willingness to comply with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s request to return American liquor to shelves, Kinew is pushing back against the optics of the move. He has encouraged Manitoba consumers to boycott US products even if they reappear on shelves, favoring domestic goods instead. This friction centers on the control provinces hold over liquor distribution and procurement—leverage points that have become central to the broader negotiations. With Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford yet to weigh in, the political cohesion of the provincial front remains untested as the deadline for the tariff threat looms this Saturday.