Kiefer Sutherland, the British-Canadian actor and entrepreneur, expressed his concerns over the never-ending trade war being waged against Canada by the Trump administration. He said the whole situation was “unfortunate.” Splitting time between the two countries, Sutherland feels the impact of political differences on a daily basis. These community tensions at times impact personal relationships and business dealings. He hopes for a resolution soon, stating, “I just hope sooner than later things can go back to normal, and we can be friends.”
The trade war impact has been personally felt for Sutherland, especially in this time of entrepreneurialism. His whisky brand is sold in all 10 Canadian provinces as well as the U.K. It has so far failed to deploy in the U.S., thanks to still-extant fights over the service. Sutherland acknowledged, “It’s impacted our business to the degree that we have not launched in the United States. We will take our time, and we will wait.”
Despite all of the trade turmoil, Sutherland made the decision to not boycott American whiskies. Rather than make this mistake, instead he gave his own opinion and favored Canadian varieties that had special characteristics. He explained that he finds Canadian whiskies to be “smoother, drier, and unique in their wheat and rye content.” This distinction is a testament to his dedication to showcasing Canadian made products.
Sutherland’s connections to both countries are personal in addition to professional. He seconded, in very personal terms, the idea of shared goals and mutual respect between Canadians and Americans which he has long argued benefits both countries. “I’ve never met a single U.S. citizen who didn’t love Canada,” he remarked, highlighting a sentiment that resonates with many who share his cross-border experiences.
In addition to his current whisky endeavors, Sutherland’s past includes a brief stint in jail following a drunk driving charge in 2007. Reflecting on those incidents, he stated, “I had a number of incidents when I was younger, some 25 years ago, where I made mistakes, and I had an incident where I got a DUI.” This admission of past failures harks back to his commitment to creating a first class brand today.
Sutherland looks forward to bringing his growing whisky portfolio to new and emerging markets — including Mexico. He is hopeful for what lies ahead. He too is hoping for some thawing of frostbitten ties between Canada and the U.S. This yearning for partnership and comradeship involves more than just economic grievances.
