The Distilled Spirits Council, in coordination with a diverse, ad hoc coalition of more than 45 business and agricultural groups, today sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that the United States work with Mexico and Canada to end retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as soon as possible.
“U.S. spirits have been a target of the trade wars – with American whiskey the only U.S. agricultural product subject to retaliatory tariffs by all of the retaliating trade partners,” said Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President for International Affairs Christine LoCascio.
“Open markets created by trade agreements have greatly benefited the U.S. spirits industry, American farmers and our consumers. We urge continued dialogue with Mexico and Canada to secure the prompt removal of the retaliatory tariffs,” LoCascio concluded.
The ad hoc coalition is urging the Administration to take all necessary steps to resolve this matter so that zero-tariff North American trade can resume, and so it can turn attention to securing prompt Congressional approval of the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Full text of the letter can be downloaded here.