The EU is considering delaying its first set of tariffs on US goods to the middle of April, which would include Bourbon.
Brussels has been planning to introduce the tariffs in two steps, starting on 1 April and then from 13 April.
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Speaking in a joint hearing of the Committee on International Trade today (20 March), EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said the bloc was “considering to align the timing of the two sets of EU countermeasures, so we can consult with member states on both lists simultaneously.”
The first set of counter-tariffs, initially due to come in on 1 April, would see the reimposition of the levy on Bourbon suspended in 2022 after President Biden pulled US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
These are now expected to come into force from “mid-April”, Šefčovič said, noting the move was in response to the US’s planned implementation of “additional tariffs” from 2 April.
Following the EU’s announcement of counter-tariffs on 12 March, US President Donald Trump announced on social media the following day plans to bring in a 200% tariff on the EU’s alcohol imports to the US.
In a post on Truth Social at the time, Trump highlighted the EU’s “nasty” 50% levy on US whiskey.
The EU plans to bring in a second set of counter-measures on 13 April, including tariffs on food products like meat, seafood, dairy and confectionery, plus drinks such as beer, wine, gin, rum, Tequila and non-alcoholic drinks derived from milk.
Stakeholders have been asked to submit their views on the retaliatory action by 26 March.
Šefčovič said today: “This approach would allow us to deliver a firm, proportionate, robust and well-calibrated response to the US measures”, and give the bloc time to negotiate and “find a mutually agreeable resolution”.
He added, from 2 April, the bloc would “need to assess the action take by the US and keep a flexible approach so as to calibrate our response accordingly”.
Chris Swonger, the president and CEO at US spirits-industry trade body DISCUS, said the news “gives US distillers a glimmer of hope that a devastating 50% tariff on American whiskey can be averted”.
He added: “Over the past three years that these EU tariffs have been suspended, American whiskey exports to the EU have soared, supporting jobs at US distilleries, as well as local farms. We urge the EU and US to reach an agreement that will return and safeguard zero-for-zero tariffs for spirits trade, benefiting the spirits and hospitality sectors. The spirits industry is a model for growth through fair and reciprocal trade at zero-for-zero tariffs.”
