Administration Should Convince Europe to End Retaliatory Tariffs on Whiskey, Senators Say
Eighteen senators, led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., are asking the administration to convince Europe to remove 25% retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey before it's scheduled to double on June 1. The tariff was imposed…
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in response to 25% tariffs on European steel. Their May 11 letter said that whiskey exports to the European Union fell by 37% since the tariff went into place, and exports to the United Kingdom fell by 50%. "Like other small businesses involved in the food and drink industry, American craft distillers have struggled during the pandemic, as on-site sales and sales to restaurants and bars declined substantially. Nearly a third of craft distillers’ employees have been furloughed since the start of the pandemic. These employers are just now starting the road to recovery and the continuation, and potential increase, of these tariffs will inhibit this recovery. ... As the Biden administration works to address trade disputes with our allies in Europe, we urge the administration to work to secure the immediate suspension of tariffs on American Whiskey and, ultimately, the permanent removal of all retaliatory tariffs on American, EU, and UK spirits and wine."