The trade association for the US’s spirits industry has praised the decision to postpone the threatened tariffs on imported products from Canada and Mexico.
Late yesterday (6 March), President Donald Trump announced that some of the incoming tariffs imposed on Canadian and Mexican goods to the US would be suspended until next month, including those goods covered under the US-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA). Trump had enacted the sweeping tariffs on the two neighbouring countries earlier this week.
The tariffs were set to impact Canadian whisky and tequila the most directly in beverage alcohol.
Following the latest development, the CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US, Chris Swonger, said the delay “is great news for the Canadian, Mexican and US distilled spirits industries”.
He added: “Spirits produced in Canada, Mexico and the US are all covered under USMCA, (which) has helped to ensure the continued growth of the US spirits and hospitality industries, promote job growth and drive economic prosperity across the nation.
“We are hopeful that constructive dialogues continue between the US, Canada and Mexico that permanently brings back zero for zero tariffs for spirits trade between our three countries. We want toasts not tariffs.”
A similar response was posted last month by The Kentucky Distillers’ Association when Trump revealed an initial 30-day suspension of the 25% tariffs.
