U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) praised the recent suspension of European Union (EU) tariffs on American whiskey exports, which will support jobs in the $8.6 billion Kentucky bourbon industry.
“The agreement reached between the United States and the European Union is a huge boost for distillers in Kentucky and throughout the nation,” Rep. Barr said.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced an agreement with the EU on Oct. 31 to modify Section 232 steel and aluminum measures to allow the resumption of duty-free imports of European steel and aluminum into the United States. The UK and the EU’s retaliatory response to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum had resulted in a 25 percent tariff on American whiskey.
Rep. Barr, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, had led several letters to both the Biden and Trump Administrations urging the removal of the tariffs on American whiskey.
The congressman and a bipartisan group of more than 40 colleagues had written to the U.S. Trade Representative in April requesting that the administration work with the EU and UK to secure agreements that result in the removal of all tariffs on U.S., EU, and UK distilled spirits and wine.
“I will always be an advocate for enhanced access to international markets for our distillers so that they can provide Kentucky spirits and the world’s best bourbon to countries across the globe,” Rep. Barr said.
There were more than 2,000 craft distillers in the United States in 2020, according to the lawmakers’ April letter, and American whiskey was exported from 37 states. Between the tariffs and the impact of the pandemic, more than 40 percent of their sales have been lost.
Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said, “Representative Barr is a steadfast supporter of our industry, and we are grateful to have him on the frontlines fighting for Kentucky distillers.”