Japanese brewer Sapporo says they’re not considering relocating the vast majority of their Canadian operations amid tariff tensions with the U.S., and that a “potential” move would account for a small amount of their production in Canada.
Media reports Monday suggested the company, which owns Sleeman Breweries and Unibroue among other Canadian brewers, was considering shifting production from Canada to the U.S. given President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war.
But a spokesperson for Sleemans clarified to Global News Tuesday afternoon that they are considering moving production of Sapporo’s non-alcoholic offering, representing 0.5 per cent of the companies Canadian output, and that the decision isn’t certain.
“To clarify recent media reports, the potential relocation of Sapporo 0.0% production for the U.S. market from Sleeman Breweries’ Canadian facilities to Sapporo USA’s U.S. facilities is not imminent or finalized,” the company said.
“Sapporo 0.0% that is produced in Canada for sale in the U.S. represents only 0.5 per cent of Sleeman Breweries’ total production in Canada.”
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Bloomberg News and other outlets had reported on Monday that Sapporo would “shift some production” to the U.S. from Canada due to American tariffs on Canadian-brewed beer.
The Bloomberg report suggested it was part of a broader strategy to boost production in the U.S. market, including adding manufacturing capacity on the West Coast.
“Sleeman Breweries beer that is sold in Canada is brewed in Canada, with the exception of our 650ml cans of Sapporo Premium, which are imported from Vietnam,” the company’s statement read.
“Sleeman Breweries remains committed to sustaining and growing our production and brands in the Canadian market, including the non-alcoholic beer we brew and sell in Canada.”
Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. broke down in late August, leading to another yet another round of U.S. tariffs on billions worth of Canadian goods.
Canadian counter-tariffs on about $28 billion in U.S. goods kicked into effect on Tuesday, with no signs of the parties returning to the table any time soon.
With emotions running high amid the ongoing Canada-U.S. tensions, however, concerns were quickly raised about whether the move would mean a greater retreat from Canada for the Japanese brewer.
“Tariffs are something out of our control,” Sapporo’s chief strategy officer, Reiko Shofu, had told Bloomberg.
“We’re going to move ahead with local production.”
Oh good. Now WE stop buying this beer too.
Translation: give us millions in tax incentives to stay.
No one drinks this anyways
Potentially another US product I will no longer consume.
I’ll stop buying any of their products the minute that they announce that they are moving production to the US.
Awwww look at all the empty headed trolls making comments.
Awwwww look at all the good little elbows in the comment section . 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴
Who the Fuc cares
Well, that’s it for me purchasing Sapporo.
I enjoy Sapporo
But I won’t buy it if they choose to move to Us
Just one more product on my don’t buy list.
Sleemans owned by Sapporo ,a Japanese company.
Is there anything left in this country that isn’t foreign owned including the Liberal Party?
Groovy, no one mentioned Pierre but you. And yes plenty of us are already leaving, even before tariffs. In 2024 Canada broke a record not seen since 1967 with over 100,000 people formally emigrating from Canada, all due to the Lost Liberal Decade. Thats why JT prorouged parliament. He didn’t want to face questions on the economy or face non confidence vote. In 2025 we saw a new record of people leaving Canada.
Keep clapping you seal.
They’re only (maybe) moving half of one percent to the U.S., all you f *ucking moron commenters below me. And even if they do, you can thank that f *ucking “Master Negotiator” Carney from failing to get a deal.
I think any companies moving operations from Canada to the USA to bend the knee should anticipate serious Canadian boycott and reputational damage
Now all we need is the boomers to keep going underground, and maybe, just maybe, the next generation will see how far back Trudeau (and now Carney) has set back the country. Hell we just started to recover from the elder Trudeau ruining the country, maybe there’s time to fix it finally before Trudeau 3.0 ruins it for the next 2 generations
Hey Groovy Aardvark, don’t make it so obvious you’re a Lieberal bumper. We all knew but your comment below smells like you got a little bit of Carney sauce on ya
There will be a lot more moving down there.
@Kate Perry’s Purse: Poilievre is never going to happen, cupcake… Get over yourself. And if you don’t like it here then go away. No one will care, and no one will miss you.
That’s okay. Canadians don’t really care about beer-flavoured water. That’s an American thing.
MOVING ANY OPERATIONS FROM CANADA TO THE US REQUIRES AN EXIT TAX. IF THERE ISN’T ONE – MR. CARNEY, CREATE ONE.
Never drank too many of these, will ensure I never drink another!
I was planning to try it, change my mind. Pussies!
I don’t know almost anyone buys the Non-alcoholic beer.. you?
When we should have had an election, we instead had a prorouged parliament, to delay and save the LPC from oblivion. And we had no one talking to the incoming Trump administration. We could have had an agreement shortly after, yet here we are a year and a half later.
When the rumours start about a company moving it normally means that they will move eventually.
add sleemans to the list
time to boycott sapporo beer along with most US products already rejected by canadians
Maybe get that cheezie PIGmeant to your skin!
Leave now and never come back!, leave now and never come back!, leave now and never come back!, leave now and never come back! Run like little rats, climb into bed with the enemy.
Can’t say I blame them for leaving
Even Canada’s own PM wont invest in Canada