--- title: "Saskatchewan to impose 50% tax on US alcohol in retaliation" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-26T20:45:36.885Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T20:36:33.634Z" updated: "2026-08-26T20:45:36.885Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T20:45:12.386214+00:00" --- # Saskatchewan to impose 50% tax on US alcohol in retaliation *The province's measure follows US tariffs on Canadian alcohol, with implementation set for September 8.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to Premier Scott Moe, and the reporting is corroborated by 16 other outlets. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes quotes from the premier and the opposition, and states what happens next. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline promises a retaliatory tax, which is delivered in the article, but uses loaded language. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced a 50% reciprocal tax on alcohol imported from the United States. - The tax will take effect on September 8, directly responding to US tariffs imposed on Canadian alcohol on August 22. - Sales of American liquor in Saskatchewan have decreased by 40% since the US tariffs were enacted. - The Saskatchewan NDP has called for American alcohol to be removed from store shelves. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that his government will implement a 50% reciprocal tax on alcohol originating from the United States. This trade measure is scheduled to take effect on September 8. The decision follows the implementation of US tariffs on August 22, which imposed a 50% tax on Canadian alcohol. Moe stated that the province's sales of American liquor have already declined by 40%. He indicated that his government is not considering removing US alcohol from store shelves, emphasizing a commitment to consumer choice. He also discussed the broader trade war, noting that while his government supports selected counter-tariffs, it draws a line at export tariffs on potash and oil due to their potential impact on jobs and the economy. Moe expressed a desire for both American and Canadian governments to return to negotiations to find a path forward for a trade agreement. ## Divergent views on store shelves The Saskatchewan NDP has called on the premier to remove American alcohol from store shelves. However, Premier Moe stated that his government is adamant on leaving the choice up to consumers, viewing this as a core value. He believes this approach sends a stronger message than a government-ordered ban. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mentioned the Saskatchewan NDP's specific call for the premier to take American alcohol off of store shelves to be in line with the majority of other provinces and provide a 'clear timeline and immediate supports' for affected industries and workers. The full report from CTV News did include this statement from the opposition. ## Who covered it Shares of the 17 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 53% (9) - Centre: 47% (8) - Right: 0% (0) 0 of 17 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T20:45:12.386214+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T21:00:44.855Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's announcement of a 50% reciprocal tax on US alcohol, set to begin September 8. These reports noted the measure is in response to US tariffs on Canadian alcohol. They also highlighted that sales of American liquor in Saskatchewan have dropped by 40%. The Saskatchewan NDP's call for the premier to remove American alcohol from store shelves was also a prominent point in these reports. The full report from CTV News stated Moe's position that his government is adamant on leaving the choice up to consumers and that this sends a stronger message than a ban. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's announcement of a 50% tax on US alcohol, to be implemented on September 8 as retaliation for US tariffs on Canadian alcohol. These reports mentioned the 40% decrease in sales of American liquor in Saskatchewan. The full report from CTV News detailed Moe's comments on consumer choice and his government's stance against removing US alcohol from shelves. These reports also included Moe's broader comments on trade policy, including his views on export tariffs for potash and oil and the need for negotiation. ### Right No separate framing summary. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 9 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article/saskatchewan-premier-announces-50-tariff-on-american-liquor) — Saskatchewan premier announces 50% tariff on American liquor - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/08/26/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — Saskatchewan’s Premier Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze amid trade war - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/08/26/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — Saskatchewan’s Premier Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze amid trade war - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/08/26/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — CP Saskatchewan’s Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/saskatchewans-premier-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-amid-trade-war-12710349) — Saskatchewan's Premier Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze amid trade war - [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/saskatchewans-premier-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-amid-trade-war-12710349) — Saskatchewan's Premier Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze amid trade war - [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/national-news/saskatchewans-premier-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-amid-trade-war-12710349) — Saskatchewan's Premier Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze amid trade war - [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-26/saskatchewan-to-put-50-tax-on-us-booze-in-tariff-retaliation-scott-moe-says) — Saskatchewan to Put 50% Tax on US Booze in Tariff Retaliation - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/food/2026/08/26/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [City News](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/26/saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Guelph Today](https://guelphtoday.com/national-news/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [CambridgeToday.ca](https://cambridgetoday.ca/national-news/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-us-booze-12710349) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze - [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/08/26/cp-newsalert-saskatchewans-moe-announces-50-retaliatory-tax-on-u-s-booze) — CP Saskatchewan's Moe announces 50% retaliatory tax on U.S. booze ## Questions **What is Saskatchewan doing in response to US tariffs?** Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that the province will impose a 50% reciprocal tax on alcohol from the United States. This measure is a direct response to US tariffs that were placed on Canadian alcohol. **When will the new tax on US alcohol take effect?** The 50% reciprocal tax on alcohol from the United States will be implemented on September 8. This date was announced by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. **How has the US tariff affected sales of American alcohol in Saskatchewan?** According to Premier Scott Moe, sales of American liquor in Saskatchewan have already decreased by 40% since the United States implemented its tariffs on Canadian alcohol. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Saskatchewan to impose 50% tax on US alcohol in retaliation", https://mediabias.news/politics/saskatchewan-to-impose-50-tax-on-us-alcohol-in-retaliation