Sales of American whiskeys dropped by nearly 2 percent last year. The Distilled Spirits Council says a trade war could affect sales further.
That comes as the Trump administration is set to impose new tariffs on steel and aluminum from foreign countries. American-produced whiskey is among the domestic products that could be affected by tariffs in response.
That could have an effect on Kentucky’s economy, where nearly all of the world’s bourbon supply is crafted.
The Distilled Spirits Council says counter tariffs by the European Union could negatively affect whiskey sales in the region. The suspension of a 25% tariff caused a rebound in whiskey sales.
The council says trade conflicts during Trump’s first term caused whiskey exports to sink by 20%. Once those tariffs were suspended, exports rose by 60%.
The council also says bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey sales all dropped last year amid inflation.
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