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By Jenni Fink
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Katy Perry tried to order a Jack and Coke while on a date with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but was told she couldn't get American alcohol in Montreal because of the deteriorating relationship between Canada and U.S. President Donald Trump.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trudeau encouraged countries to take the "soft power" approach toward those creating economic disruption. He targeted Trump's trade war with Canada and said the national unity that emerged from it is an example of how "soft power" can be a strong response tactic.
While he didn't mention Perry by name, he said he was recently on a "date with an American girl" at a rooftop bar in Montreal. During the date, Trudeau said the woman tried to order a Jack Daniel's and Coke. But the server told her that there was no more American alcohol at the bar or anywhere in the city. The server apparently added that it's possible there's no more American alcohol anywhere in Canada.
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"That's an example of Canadians standing up for each other, that's an example of soft power, being motivated to be there for each other at a time of stress, at a time of anxiety," Trudeau said.
Rumors started swirling about a romance between Trudeau and Perry over the summer, when they were spotted having dinner in Montréal, and the two took their relationship public in October, celebrating Perry's birthday in Paris. Perry made their relationship Instagram official in December when she posted photos of them from a trip to Japan.
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Perry joined Trudeau at the World Economic Forum and was in the audience for his speech on the benefits of "soft power" amid a tumultuous period in international diplomacy.
Trudeau's speech comes amid prolonged economic tensions sparked during Trump’s presidency. The U.S. president imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum in an effort to push Canada to become the 51st state, a move Canadians oppose. In response, provinces including Quebec and Ontario removed U.S. alcohol from store shelves. The move led to a 91 percent decline in sales of American wine to Canada, according to a complaint submitted by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Brown‑Forman Corporation, a Kentucky-based distiller that makes Jack Daniel's, said sales to Canada fell 62 percent in the second quarter due to Trump's tariff policies. Canada accounts for only about 1 percent of the company's total sales, yet it's affecting the company's overall profit margins.
“The continued unavailability of American spirits products in Canada resulted in a significant impact to our top line performance,” CFO Leanne Cunningham said on an earnings call in December. “While we are hopeful for the return of American products to Canadian store shelves, we continue to assume this headwind will persist.”
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found wine sales to Canada were down 84 percent year-over-year in October, and spirits were down 56 percent. Only two provinces continue to sell alcohol from the U.S., according to the BBC, and only 20 percent of Canadians think it's time to bring American alcohol back, according to a Nanos Research Group poll for Bloomberg.
Brown-Forman was warning about the impact of Trump's trade war in March. CEO Lawson Whiting said Canada's decision to pull alcohol from stores was "worse than a tariff" because it was taking sales away. Whiting called it a "disproportionate response" to the 25 percent tariff Trump imposed.
In February 2025, Trudeau encouraged Canadians to "choose Canada" and boycott American spirits. He told people to check food labels when buying and to purchase Canadian-made products over American ones.
"It might mean opting for Canadian rye over Kentucky bourbon, or forgoing Florida orange juice altogether," Trudeau said.
Trump called Canadians "mean" and "nasty" for boycotting American alcohol, but is putting pressure on Canada to end the boycott, according to Bloomberg.
Update 1/20/26, 1:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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