Urges Senate to Act Swiftly to Pass Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – The Distilled Spirits Council, representing over 135 distillers of all sizes, today thanked the House for passing Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which will help the United States conclude trade agreements opening markets for U.S. distilled spirits exports.
“This is an extremely positive development. Trade Promotion Authority is the key to expanding market access across the globe and to building on the record export growth we’ve experienced for five straight years,” said Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President of International Trade Christine LoCascio, noting that spirits exports totaled over $1.5 billion in 2014.  “We urge the Senate to pass the House-approved bill as soon as possible.”
LoCascio cited examples of the significant impact that recent trade agreements have had on U.S. spirits exports:
  • U.S. spirits exports to Korea have increased 71% since the FTA eliminated its 20% tariff on Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey in 2012.
  • U.S. spirits exports to Australia have increased 70% since the FTA entered into force in 2005 eliminating the tariff on all U.S. spirits.
“American spirits are in the midst of a global boom with U.S. brands from both large and small distillers exported to as many as 130 countries around the world. Comprehensive and market-opening trade deals create jobs, grow the economy, and are good policy for the United States,” said LoCascio.
Since 2005, DISCUS has been running an export promotion program to highlight the wide array of American sprits products. To date, the Council has organized promotional programs in the following 16 markets: China, Russia, Brazil, India, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Chile, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria & Colombia.