News Alert: U.K. Lifts Tariffs On American Whiskey

The U.K. is lifting its 25 percent tariffs on American whiskey stemming from a larger dispute over steel and aluminum tariffs between the two countries. The move is effective June 1.

According to DISCUS, since the imposition of the 25 percent retaliatory tariff on American whiskeys, exports to the U.K., the category’s fourth-largest market, have declined by 42 percent, from $150 million to $88 million (2018-2021).

“Distillers throughout the United States are cheering the end of this long tariff nightmare,” said DISCUS president and CEO Chris Swonger. “We toast the Biden administration for its resolve in bringing a stop to these punitive tariffs on American whiskeys and securing the return to duty-free trade in spirits across the Atlantic.”

“Brown-Forman appreciates the Administration’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding the Transatlantic alliance,” Brown-Forman added in a statement. “The removal of tariffs on American whiskey and other U.S. exports creates more opportunities for the continued international growth of our American-made products.”

Last summer, the U.S. reached separate agreements with the E.U. and U.K. in the WTO Boeing-Airbus disputes to suspend tariffs for five years on U.S. rum, brandy and vodka, Single Malt Scotch, Single Malt Irish Whisky from Northern Ireland, liqueurs and cordials from the U.K., Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain, and certain Cognacs and other grape brandies from France and Germany.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Tariffs

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