Skip to content
CEEV

CEEV

Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our members
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • EU Wine Sector
  • Priorities
    • EU Wine Regulation
    • External Trade
    • Health & Social Aspects
    • Taxation & Customs
    • Research & Innovation
  • Projects
    • EU-US Wine Statement
    • COVID-19 recovery
    • EU-China Cooperation
    • Nutritional info & Ingredients
  • News & Events
  • Login

US, EU and UK Beverage Alcohol Associations Call for Immediate Suspension of Tariffs on Spirits and Wine

12/01/2021

WASHINGTON, D.C., BRUSSELS and LONDON – A coalition of 21 trade associations representing U.S., European Union, and United Kingdom wine, distilled spirits and related sectors today expressed disappointment in new U.S. tariffs going into effect today on certain Cognac, other grape brandies and non-sparkling wine from France and Germany.

“We are extremely disappointed with the imposition of additional excessive tariffs on certain Cognacs, other brandies and wines from France and Germany. These tariffs will just compound the harm caused by existing tariffs. The added pressure resulting from these tariffs will force more businesses to close their doors and more workers to be laid off in sectors already negatively impacted by the global pandemic,” said the coalition.

Since June 2018, there has been a steady escalation in the number of tariffs on distilled spirits and wines on both sides of the Atlantic as part of unrelated trade disputes. These tariffs are having a damaging ripple effect throughout the entire industry.  The widespread harm impacts distillery and winery workers, importers, exporters, distributors, retail and restaurant workers, farmers, packaging companies that provide the containers, caps and lids, and truckers, freight forwarders and logistic providers that get these products through Customs.

“The spirits and wine industries have been suffering since the imposition of retaliatory tariffs in 2018 related to disputes wholly unrelated to the drinks business.  It is beyond time for these unwarranted and excessive tariffs to be suspended.  We are strongly urging the U.S., EU, and UK to return to the negotiating table without delay and reach an agreement to immediately suspend these tariffs,” the coalition added.

The coalition is made up of the  Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, SpiritsEUROPE, Comité Européen Des Entreprises Vins, Wine Institute, Scotch Whisky Association, American Beverage Licensees, WineAmerica, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Of America, National Retail Federation, American Craft Spirits Association, American Distilled Spirits Alliance, U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, National Council Of Chain Restaurants, Kentucky Distillers’ Association, National Restaurant Association, National Association Of Beverage Importers, National Association Of Wine Retailers, The Wine And Spirit Trade Association, North American Shippers Association, Napa Valley Vintners, and Wine And Spirits Shippers Association.

BACKGROUND

On December 30, 2020 USTR announced new 25 percent tariffs on certain Cognac, other grape brandies and non-sparkling wine from France and Germany.  These tariffs apply to Cognac and other grape brandies valued at $38 per proof liter and above ($22.80 for a 750 ml bottle at 40% abv) and non-sparkling wines that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

Media Contact

CEEV: Dr Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General, ceev@ceev.eu

  • ← Reducing the harmful use of alcohol: an objective of “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” and a key priority for the European wine sector
  • CEEV wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021 ! →
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest News

  • OIV is recruiting a Chief of Cabinet of the Director General
  • JOINT CALL FROM BUSINESS AND TRADE UNIONS FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN EU HOSPITALITY TASK FORCE
  • Reducing the harmful use of alcohol: an objective of “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” and a key priority for the European wine sector

The Wine in Moderation (WIM) Programme is a programme created by the wine sector to contribute to the reduction of alcohol-related harm and to inspire healthy lifestyles and a sustainable culture of wine. CEEV has been a founding member of WIM since its creation in 2008. For more information on the WIM programme, go to www.wineinmoderation.eu.

Latest Tweets

  • De tout le vin vendu dans l'UE, un 30% du même (50% en valeur) est vendu dans l'Horeca. Des milliers de petits pro… https://t.co/4robBdYqKL12 hours ago
  • RT @VinumEtSpiritus: Un café fermé peut aussi vous faire passer une nuit blanche https://t.co/O4Z9ArQWiU #ouvronslhoreca #westandready http…12 hours ago
  • RT @lv_vitisphere: La vague de froid qui a envahi la France la semaine dernière s’est répandue sur une grande partie de l’Europe, de l’Alle…12 hours ago
  • RT @InterVinoEs: Momentos #MejorconVino | ¿Sabías que el origen del beso en la boca tiene que ver con el #vino? Hoy en el #DiaInternacional…12 hours ago

Subscribe

Sign up to receive our latest news and press release by email. You can opt out at any time.
See our Privacy policy here.

Contact

  • 43 Avenue des Arts, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
  • Tel:+32 (0)2 230 99 70
  • ceev@ceev.eu
  • EU Transparency Register n°2663914841-28

Search

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021 CEEV
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. OkPrivacy policy