“With yesterday’s momentous agreement with the UK,” ending a dispute involving steel and aluminum imports to the U.S., “transatlantic trade in distilled spirits will once again flow tariff free, and American wines will no longer face the threat of debilitating retaliatory tariffs,” said the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition. “Cheers to Secretary Raimondo and Ambassador Tai and their teams at the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for their dedication and persistence on behalf of the entire U.S. beverage alcohol industry.”
Since the imposition of the 25% retaliatory tariff on American Whiskeys in June 2018, exports to the UK, the U.S. spirits industry’s fourth-largest market, have plunged 42%, from $150 million to $88 million (2018-2021). With the removal of these tariffs on American Whiskey, no more retaliatory tariffs remain on U.S., UK and EU distilled spirits and wines.
The coalition added, “We deeply appreciate the administration’s steadfast focus on rebuilding relationships with our close trading partners and allies in the EU and UK. These significant agreements will benefit U.S. workers throughout the entire alcohol supply chain, including farmers, distillers and vintners as well as those who distribute and sell the products at restaurants, bars and spirits and wine stores.”
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition consists of 50 U.S. trade associations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. beverage alcohol sector (i.e., at the producer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and on-premise levels) united in opposition to U.S., EU and UK tariffs on beverage alcohol products.