Taking Action on Alcohol Tariffs

Situation:
  • The United States is currently assessing a 25% tariff on imports of Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Single Malt Irish Whiskey from Northern Ireland; liqueurs and cordials from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom; and certain wines from France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom.  (These tariffs were put in place in response to an otherwise unrelated trade dispute concerning Boeing and Airbus.)  Similarly, since June 22, 2018, all American Whiskeys exported to the EU have faced a 25% import tariff.

 

  • The U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) is currently conducting a mandatory review of the aforementioned tariffs on imported alcohol from the EU. As part of the review, the USTR is considering changes that could include increasing current tariffs to 100%, and expanding the categories to include more alcohol products from the EU.

 

  • Increasing and/or expanding the scope of tariffs would negatively impact American beverage businesses; put the jobs they create at risk; and dramatically increase prices for American consumers – all during a once-in-a-decade pandemic and financial crisis.

 

Task:
  • It is now time for beverage retailers to once again engage in this fight to prevent further harm to the otherwise vibrant American alcohol marketplace – especially the brick-and-mortar bars, taverns and liquor stores that remain some of last local Main Street businesses fighting to stay alive due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Action:
  • ABL is calling on its members to do two things:

 

    • Submit comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) asking for the elimination or reduction of the current 25% tariffs; and expressing your opposition to additional tariffs;

 

    • Submit a request to your member of Congress to contact the USTR to express their opposition to these tariffs.

 

  • Important: Comments are due on or before COB July 26, 2020.

 

Outreach & Materials:
  • Option #1: The National Association of Beverage Importers (NABI) has set up a portal that allows you to easily contact the USTR and your members of Congress: https://nabi.app.sparkinfluence.net/

 

  • Option #2: If you wish to draft your own letter to the USTR & Congress, please use the templates and links below: