Japanese beer-maker Sapporo says it plans to move some production from Canada to the U.S., after a 50% tariff on beer imported into the U.S. took effect on September 8.
BBC News reports the brewer, whose Sapporo beer is the best-selling Asian beer brand in the U.S., will shift production of its non-alcoholic beer, currently made in Canada for U.S. customers, to the U.S. by the first half of 2027.
Chief strategy officer Rieko Shofu said tariffs were "out of our control," telling Bloomberg that the company would "move ahead with local production".
The BBC said that the U.S. is one of Sapporo's most important overseas markets, and the move will directly affect its Canadian subsidiary, Sleeman Breweries. It added that Sapporo is considering boosting its U.S. production on the West Coast. Options by building or buying a brewery, or partnering with a third-party manufacturer.
In July, Sapporo announced a partnership with Danish beer giant Carlsberg, to expand in Southeast Asia.
