Discus slams EU tariff deal for ignoring spirits
It is “utterly exasperating” that wine and spirits will not be included in the first group of exemptions as part of the EU-US trade deal, the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) said.
The EU is the largest export market for US spirits, worth US$1.2 billion in 2024.
Spirits exports have flourished under zero-for-zero tariffs, but that stands to change as US president Donald Trump institutes tariffs for countries across the globe.
On 27 July, Trump and the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed to a deal of 15% tariffs, half of the 30% that Trump proposed on 12 July.
Still, any tariff in place stands to limit the exchange of goods between the US and EU, with several spirits like Bourbon and Cognac unable to be made anywhere other than their geographically-specified regions.
“It is extremely disappointing and utterly exasperating that the US and EU have not yet come to an agreement on spirits, which is an easy win for the United States that will help boost our economic vitality during this challenging time for the hospitality industry,” Discus president and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement.
“It is critical for our great American distilleries, farmers and hospitality workers across the country that president Trump secures a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits with the European Union.
“We urge President Trump and the negotiators to quickly resolve this issue, which will provide much-needed certainty to 1.7 million workers who depend on a vibrant US spirits industry.”
Discus and the coalition Toasts Not Tariffs have been leading the charge in advocating for the spirits industry in the face of tariffs, an effort that extends all the way back to the fort Trump administration.
Speaking to The Spirits Business earlier this year, Alison Leavitt, managing director of the Wine and Spirits Shippers Association, addressed the industry’s ability to affect change with Trump, despite the proven concept of free trade within it.
“The problem with this administration is that you have to have a really loud voice in the ear of the White House to get anything done,” she said, “and right now it seems that the tech industry has that ear. I’m not sure if the spirits industry is quite as close to the top, and it needs to get there.”
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