LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer wants the Canadian government and the U.S. Trade Representative to jump start negotiations to eliminate Canadian wine tax policies that put New York wineries at a competitive disadvantage.
Schumer will be at a Niagara County winery Monday afternoon to discuss the issue. He says Canadian tourists spent $933 million shopping in western New York in 2011. But he says wine sales at western New York wineries are undermined by Canadian taxes and fees assessed on New York wines.
Schumer met with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer in April. He says he secured a commitment that if Canada joins Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, the Canadian government would launch formal talks to terminate Canada's restrictive wine taxation policies.