Designed to Assist with Adverse Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs
The Distilled Spirits Council today announced that it applied for and was awarded $815,000 through USDA’s Agricultural Trade Program (ATP), which was set up specifically to assist those agricultural groups that are being adversely impacted by retaliatory tariffs.
“USDA recognized the recent imposition of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. spirits exports by our trading partners threatened to seriously impede the export progress that has benefitted the U.S. spirits industry and created jobs across the country,” said Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Chris Swonger.
The Council will utilize the ATP funds to conduct export promotion initiatives, such as market research, media campaigns and in-market promotions in key export markets. Since 2006, it has run a USDA Market Access export promotion program that has mirrored a huge increase in global U.S. spirits exports, rising from $873 million in 2006 to $1.64 billion in 2017.
During that period, many small distillers have jumped at the opportunity to participate in program, exporting American Rye Whiskey, Gin and other U.S. spirits. They have been hit particularly hard by the retaliatory tariffs.
“American distilled spirits are value-added agriculture at its best, and the USDA has recognized this. While this does not solve the problem of the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. spirits exports, it will help mitigate some of the negative impact. We urge continued dialogue between our trade partners to secure the prompt removal of these burdensome tariffs,” Swonger concluded.