The Spirits Industry Supports Over 19,000 Nevada Jobs And Over $1.6 Billion In Economic Activity
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, joined a bipartisan letter led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) urging the Biden Administration to immediately protect the millions of American jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits production by negotiating with the European Union (EU) to permanently prevent retaliatory tariffs. Currently, wines and spirits are under suspension from tariffs, but certain spirits, including American whiskey, will see the pause lifted on January 1, triggering a 50 percent tariff, which will hurt businesses in Nevada.
“We write today to request an expedited agreement with the European Union (EU) to secure the permanent removal of retaliatory tariffs on spirits and wines,” wrote the senators. “We are deeply concerned that a lack of a permanent solution risks the re-imposition of tariffs.”
“Spirits have had a significant cultural impact in our country, and currently have a profound impact on the U.S. economy. In 2022 alone, U.S. distilled spirit exports reached $2.06 billion. But the impact of the retaliatory tariffs was devastating…Our belief is that the imposition of additional tariffs on this industry is detrimental,” the senators continued. “There are mutual benefits in finding a path forward, and our belief is that spirits and wines are a point where there can be consensus to limit the damage for all parties.”
“We thank these Senators for working to protect American jobs by calling on the Administration to quickly reach an agreement with the EU to avoid a 50 percent tariff on American Whiskey exports,” said Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Chris Swonger. “American Whiskey has rebounded in the EU market over the past two years with these tariffs currently suspended. A return of these debilitating tariffs would be a severe blow to U.S. distillers and bring this positive momentum to a screeching halt.”
The full text of the letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has led the effort to oppose tariffs that threaten Nevada jobs. She recently led the bipartisan fight against tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Senator Rosen also successfully helped protect the two year pause on tariffs on solar panels and cells from attacks by her Democratic and Republican colleagues.
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