U.S. distillers express deep disappointment and concern over EU retaliatory tariffs.

U.S. Distilled Spirits Industry Expresses “Deep Disappointment” and Concern Over EU Retaliatory Tariffs
Posted on March 13, 2025, at 18:36 JST

New York (CNN) – The U.S. distilled spirits industry has voiced “deep disappointment” and serious concerns following the European Union’s (EU) announcement to raise tariffs on American whiskey to 50% as part of retaliatory measures against tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

On the 12th, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), a leading industry group, stated that the move would significantly hinder efforts to rebuild U.S. spirits exports to the EU.

According to DISCUS data, U.S. whiskey sales surged nearly 20% during the pandemic, surpassing $5 billion (approximately ¥740 billion) last year. However, as consumers cut back on alcohol due to rising living costs, sales of whiskey and other distilled spirits have begun to decline. The impact is already being felt, with major producer Brown-Forman announcing layoffs of around 700 employees in January.

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Source: CNN.co.jp

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Online Reactions:

1. “Someone should teach Trump the meaning of ‘two sides of the same coin.'”
2. “Tell Trump, not us.”
3. “Trump and his clueless cronies are like the emperor with no clothes. LOL.”
4. “The EU is targeting regions and Republican strongholds where Trump’s base is concentrated. The more tariffs Trump imposes, the more his supporters suffer.”
5. “There must’ve been a better way than this. Think harder, you bourbon idiots.”
6. “Japan should hit back too. Trump loves starting fights but never finishes them.”
7. “Americans: ‘Retaliation is too harsh.’ LOL.”
8. “What will America look like in four years?”
9. “The chorus of ‘Tell Trump’ continues.”
10. “Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, like a twisted rope.”
11. “Nice one, @6.”
12. “Cheers with Trump! LOL.”
13. “Trump hates alcohol, cigarettes, and tattoos.”
14. “Maybe Japan could import the whiskey tariff-free in exchange for reduced tariffs on Japanese exports.”
15. “Guess we’re toasting with Diet Coke then.”
16. “Trump drinks Coke (Quran) while eating turkey (symbolizing the Islamic empire) on Thanksgiving. Hollywood’s drink of choice is tequila, whose mother liquor is mezcal (made by smoking turkey). Typical anti-Muslim, but buddy-buddy with Saudi Arabia.”
17. “If people stopped drinking alcohol altogether, this problem would be solved. It’d also eliminate drunk driving—two birds with one stone.”
18. “The Bourbon family produced the Marquis de Sade, a notorious pervert. Bourbon (meaning ‘fool’ in Japanese) is quite fitting. Also, America’s national pastime is baseball, where you hit a home run from third base (Saint Louis, the holy Bourbon emperor). What a strange country.”
19. “Marquis de Sade literally means ‘Marquis of Sade.'”
20. “You’re the ones who elected Trump.”
21. “War-loving Trump.”
22. “Actually, Democrats are more war-hungry than Republicans. It’s said that Democrats pushed Ukraine into war with Russia.”
23. “Then let’s call him ‘childish fight-loving Trump.'”
24. “A childish fight or tantrum backed by national pride.”
25. “AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!”