Distilled Spirits Council is one of 46 signatories on a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer underscoring “the importance of lifting tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and (removing) all retaliatory tariffs on trade among the parties.”
Beer Institute, which had earlier vigorously opposed the aluminum tariffs, did not sign the letter.
“U.S. spirits have been a target of the trade wars – with American whiskey the only U.S. agricultural product subject to retaliatory tariffs by all of the retaliating trade partners,” explained Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President for International Affairs Christine LoCascio.
“Open markets created by trade agreements have greatly benefited the U.S. spirits industry, American farmers and our consumers. We urge continued dialogue with Mexico and Canada to secure the prompt removal of the retaliatory tariffs,” LoCascio concluded.
The ad hoc coalition is urging the Administration to take all necessary steps to resolve this matter so that zero-tariff North American trade can resume, and so it can turn attention to securing prompt Congressional approval of the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“For many farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, the damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel dispute far outweighs any benefit that may accrue to them from the USMCA. The continued application of metal tariffs means ongoing economic hardship for U.S. companies that depend on imported steel and aluminum, but that are not exempted from these tariffs. Producers of agricultural and manufactured products that are highly dependent on the Canadian and Mexican markets are also suffering serious financial losses,” the letter says.