Eighty-eight U.S. and European organizations representing a wide range of industries impacted by retaliatory tariffs sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging permanent removal of tariffs on sectors unrelated to the ongoing Trans-Atlantic trade disputes.
After expressing their appreciation for the four-month suspension of retaliatory tariffs related to the Airbus/Boeing dispute, the groups said:
“We are hopeful that this suspension will help reset the vital transatlantic trade relationship and lead to the permanent removal of all additional and retaliatory tariffs on products which are unrelated to the sectors subject to ongoing transatlantic trade disputes.”
“It is important for our members, already drastically affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, to be able to rely on the continued suspension or complete removal of these tariffs after July 2021.”
Citing the looming June 1 deadline for the second wave of retaliatory tariffs in the steel & aluminum dispute, the organizations called for a suspension of retaliatory tariffs in other disputes, while both sides work on a more permanent solution.
“The transatlantic relationship is of enormous economic importance to our sectors, and we are eager to see it protected and nurtured,” said the organizations. “Our sectors should no longer incur collateral damage in these unrelated disputes.”
Signers of the letter include American Beverage Licensees, American Craft Spirits Association, Arizona Craft Distillers Guild, Colorado Distillers Guild, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. , Idabo Distillers Association, Kentucky Distillers Association, Napa Valley Vintners, National Association of Beverage Importers, National Association of Wine Retailers, New York State Distillers Guild, Oregon Distillers Guild, South Carolina Distillers Guild,Spirits Europe, Tennessee Distillers Guild, Ohio Distillers Guild, Virginia Distillers Association, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Wine & Spirits Shippers Association, WineAmerica.
Beer Institute and Brewers Association did not sign the letter.