Cold Shoulder From Canada Costly For Distillers

American distillers have gotten a costly cold shoulder from Canada. A spirits industry group says spirits exports to Canada plunged 85% earlier this year. That led broad declines in key international markets amid global trade tensions. The report was released Monday by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. The industry worries even a thaw in trade relations may not shake this hangover right away. Kentucky craft distiller Tom Bard says even though things have eased up, his products still aren’t back on Canadian shelves. The worry is that consumer reaction to trade conflicts could curb the international thirst for American spirits in key markets.