The European Union is delaying its proposed 50% tariff on American whiskey until mid-April, aligning it with broader countermeasures against U.S. steel and aluminum duties. Shown here is Knob Creek’s distillery in Clermont, Ky. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg)
The European Union is delaying its proposed 50% tariff on American whiskey until mid-April, aligning it with broader countermeasures against U.S. steel and aluminum duties.
The shift in the timing of the levy, originally set to take effect April 1, allows for more talks with U.S. officials, a spokesperson for the European Commission said Thursday.
American distillers have been rushing to prepare for the EU’s tariffs, including some companies ferrying as much product as possible to Europe, one of the industry’s biggest export markets.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a 200% tariff on all alcoholic products imported from the EU in response.
“The EU continues to be ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the U.S., in order to seek a solution that avoids unnecessary harm to both economies,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
The delay gives U.S. distillers “a glimmer of hope” that a devastating 50% tariff on American whiskey can be averted, said Chris Swonger, chief executive officer of Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the industry’s top lobbying group.
“Over the past three years that these EU tariffs have been suspended, American Whiskey exports to the EU have soared, supporting jobs at U.S. distilleries as well as local farms,” he said.
