Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Chris Swonger statement regarding Treasury Secretary Bessent’s comment today that the Trump administration will make “substantial announcements” about tariffs on some commodities not grown in the U.S. “over the next couple of days.”
“We have reached out to the White House to urge the Administration to include EU and UK distilled spirits to the list of commodities not produced in the U.S. that they are targeting for tariff relief. Many spirits including Scotch, Cognac and Irish whiskey are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. A return to zero-for zero tariffs on UK and EU distilled spirits products will boost the struggling U.S. hospitality industry just as the important holiday season begins.”
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Background:
- The U.S. is currently imposing a 15% tariff on EU spirits and a 10% tariff on UK spirits. According to a Distilled Spirits Council analysis, the 15% tariff on EU spirits alone could result in $1 billion lost in U.S. sales and 12,000 American jobs.
