The Toasts Not Tariffs coalition, which represents 54 US industry associations, has expanded its call to action as tariff uncertainty continues.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) has made a call to action in partnership with the Toasts Not Tariffs coalition for members of the industry to sign a petition urging Donald Trump’s administration to avoid tariffs on spirits. Thus far the petition has generated nearly 13,000 signatures.
“The coalition is urging everyone connected to the spirits and wine industries, from bartenders, consumers, manufacturers, farmers, importers and exporters, to tell the administration that tariffs on distilled spirits and wines put American jobs at risk and must be eliminated,” Discus president and CEO Chris Swonger said.
“Securing fair and reciprocal tariff-free trade with our key trading partners will lead to an increase in US wine and spirits exports and investments, and US job growth. We need toasts, not tariffs!”
Toasts Not Tariffs is a coalition of 54 associations representing the entire three–tier chain of the US alcohol and related industries. Consumers, distillers, vintners, the hospitality and retail sectors and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to join the campaign. In January, the Associated Cooperage Industries of America (ACIA) and the Virginia Spirits Association (VSA) joined Toasts Not Tariffs.
Since taking office, US president Trump has levied tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and the EU, dragging those countries’ respective spirits industries into an ongoing trade war.
While Trump has delayed those tariffs in nearly every instance, the back-and-forth nature of this decision making has disrupted the spirits sector, especially as countries level retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey.
According to Discus, nearly 86% of US spirits exports go to countries that have eliminated tariffs while approximately 98% of spirits imports originate from countries that have not placed tariffs on US goods.
In recent weeks, Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on American spirits and wines and has begun pulling these products from store shelves in most provinces.
The European Union recently postponed its 50% tariffs on American whiskey, which were due to come into effect on 1 April.
On 2 April, the US could follow through on its proposed 25% tariff on Tequila, mezcal and Canadian whisky, as well as a 200% tariff on wines and spirits from the EU on 13 April.
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