News of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president earlier this week has sparked fear over the possibility of further tariffs being implemented on the spirits industry.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has sounded an alarm over the potential return and doubling of the EU’s retaliatory tariff on American whiskey in a new report.

Distillers are calling for the permanent removal of EU imposed “debilitating tariffs” on American whiskey, which are scheduled to be reimposed and doubled to 50% on 1 January 2024.

Both parties have expressed their delight by Saturday’s announcement that the US and EU have agreed to lift retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey.

A deal has been struck between the UK and US to end retaliatory tariffs on malt whiskies for five years.

US wine imported into the UK could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.

The European Union has announced that it will temporarily suspend its tariff increase on American whiskey in an effort to reboot transatlantic relations.

A synchronised sigh of relief was heard right across the Armagnac region last year as the news broke of Donald Trump’s defeat in the US election.

Scotch whisky producers are celebrating after the US government announced it would suspend tariffs on various UK goods for four months.

Drinks producers will be forced to close their doors and lay off staff after the U.S. ramped up its tariff war with the EU, trade associations have warned.

The US spirits industry has applauded the UK’s decision to suspend retaliatory tariffs on American rum, brandy and vodka once it leaves the EU on January 1.

Eighteen trade associations have joined forces to call for an immediate elimination of the retaliatory tariffs that the US and EU have imposed upon spirits, wine and beer.

The US government has announced that the existing 25% tariffs will remain on single malt Scotch for the foreseeable future.

American whiskey exports to EU have decreased by a third since the bloc imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff in June 2018.

Mexico and Canada have dropped their tariffs on American whiskey which were implemented in retaliation to president Donald Trump’s import tariffs last year.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is calling for clarity from the UK government on its post no deal tariff plans, warning that any no deal Brexit will see wine prices hit an all-time high.

Indian whisky

09 July, 2012

The market for whisky in India is huge, but local brands have the lion’s share due to the exorbitant import tariffs. Christian Davis reports

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