Trade Policy Statement for EU, Mexico, and Canada
On behalf of our nation’s growing community of more than 1,700 craft spirits producers, the American Craft Spirits Association remains hopeful that the Administration will work with the E.U., Canada, Mexico, and other markets to ensure all American businesses, including craft spirits, prosper. Imposed tariffs on American whiskey imports or limiting our market access will directly affect not just our distillers and their families – who collectively make up a workforce of more than 20,000 employees across the U.S. – but the farmers and agricultural partners who supply their grains, the manufacturing industry that has helped support our community as they grow, and the broader hospitality industry.
The export market for craft spirits has recently been one of the strongest opportunities both for growth and for showcasing America’s entrepreneurial spirit at its finest. Last year alone, U.S. craft spirits exports grew by 8.2 percent; today, these exports contribute to almost 10 percent of our industry’s annual volume. Cutting off this access fundamentally stifles our small business community’s prospect for growth.
Trade Policy Statement for China
On behalf of our nation’s growing community of more than 1,700 craft spirits producers, The American Craft Spirits Association believes it is imperative that the Administration works collaboratively with China and other markets to mitigate the detrimental impact of retaliatory tariffs and ensure all American businesses, including craft spirits, prosper.
Imposed tariffs on American whiskey exports or limiting our market access will dramatically, directly, and negatively affect not just our distillers and their families, who collectively make up a workforce of more than 20,000 employees across the U.S. – but the farmers and agricultural partners who supply their grains, the manufacturing industry who has helped support our community as it grows, and the broader hospitality industry.
The export market for craft spirits, currently one of the fastest growing areas of foreign trade, is one of the strongest opportunities both for growth and for showcasing America’s entrepreneurial spirit at its finest. Last year along, U.S. craft spirits exports grew by 8.2 percent; today, these exports contribute to almost 10 percent of our industry’s annual volume. Cutting off this access fundamentally stifles our small business community’s prospect for continue growth.
We urgently encourage the Administration to work collaboratively with our industry and community of small business owners to fight these retaliatory tariffs.
June 2018
