Distilled Spirits Council Sends Letter to USTR Urging Expanded Market Access for U.S. Spirits in India Ahead of Trade Talks
WASHINGTON – The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging the Administration to prioritize improved market access for U.S. distilled spirits and ensure that U.S. distilled spirits are not placed at a competitive disadvantage compared to other imported spirits as negotiations with India advance.
In the letter, DISCUS commended the Trump administration’s focus on opening markets, reducing trade barriers and boosting U.S. exports, noting India as a critical growth opportunity for American distillers.
DISCUS noted that the U.S. spirits sector is navigating a challenging domestic environment, with sales declining 2.2% in 2025, exports falling nearly 4% and distillery employment declining by 3.5% from September 2024 to September 2025. These pressures underscore the importance of securing fair and competitive access to key global markets.
“At a time when the U.S. spirits industry is facing headwinds at home, expanding access to high-potential export markets like India is essential to support jobs, investment and long-term growth,” said Chris Swonger, President and CEO of DISCUS.
India represents a significant opportunity for U.S. spirits exporters, as the world’s largest whiskey market by volume. President Trump’s recent progress in India has already delivered tangible benefits for U.S. spirits exports. Following the lowering of India’s tariff on bottled Bourbon from 150% to 100% in 2025, exports of U.S. bottled Bourbon to India increased by nearly 22% compared to the previous year. Total U.S. spirits exports to India reached $13.1 million, with American Whiskey accounting for 87% of the exports.
However, DISCUS emphasized that significant barriers remain. India continues to impose a 150% tariff on bulk Bourbon and all other U.S. distilled spirits, restricting market access and limiting growth. As a result, American Whiskey exports to India accounted for only 3% of whiskey imported to India in 2025, totaling $11.4 million in 2025, a small share of India’s overall whiskey imports, despite strong consumer demand.
The letter also raised concerns that recent trade agreements between India and key competitors, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, could further disadvantage U.S. spirits exporters. Under those agreements, India has agreed to reduce its tariffs on all EU and UK spirits to 75% upon implementation and to 40% over 10 years, improving competitive access for Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey.
“We respectfully request that the administration secure tariff reductions that are at least comparable – if not better – to India’s agreements with the EU and UK across all categories of bottled and bulk U.S. distilled spirits, ensuring our exporters have fair and competitive access to the Indian marketplace,” said Swonger. “Ensuring a level playing field is essential so that American producers can compete fairly and fully realize the potential of this critically important market.”
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