US tariffs on goods from the European Union could lead to a reduction in alcohol sales by almost USD 2 billion and the loss of 25,000 jobs in the US, Reuters reported, citing a joint letter from alcohol producers sent to US President Donald Trump.
It is noted that the appeal was prepared by the “Cheers, Not Tariffs“ coalition, which unites 57 companies, including European Diageo and Pernod Ricard, as well as American wine and whiskey producers. The authors of the letter called on the Trump administration to exempt alcoholic beverages from US tariffs.
On July 27, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump agreed that Washington would impose 15% tariffs on approximately 75% of European goods imported into the US, instead of the 30% tariffs on all imports that the White House had threatened to impose, starting August 1. In return, the EC promised to completely ban all Russian energy supplies and purchase US$750 billion worth of US oil, gas, nuclear equipment and fuel, as well as invest US$600 billion in the US economy.