The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) has slammed the absence of a resolution on alcohol tariffs in the latest trade agreement framework between the US and the EU.
Reacting to the omission, Discus president and CEO Chris Swonger called it “extremely disappointing and utterly exasperating”, adding that resolving the issue would have been “an easy win” for the US. “It is critical for our great American distilleries, farmers and hospitality workers across the country that President Trump secure a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits with the European Union,” he said.
While the US and EU finalised a broader deal over the weekend that included tariff adjustments on industrial and consumer goods, it failed to address retaliatory duties impacting the transatlantic spirits trade. The tariffs were originally imposed during separate trade disputes and have disrupted exports for several years.
Swonger urged US negotiators to resolve the issue swiftly: “This will provide much-needed certainty to 1.7 million workers who depend on a vibrant US spirits industry.”
The European Commission has yet to confirm whether alcohol-related tariffs remain under review.
Discus initially reacted to the reduced tariff between the US and EU as “great news” earlier this week.
