A Whisky Trade War on the Horizon? (WhiskyCast Episode 703: June 3, 2018)

 


Canada and the European Union are planning retaliatory tariffs on
imports of Bourbon and other American whiskies after this week's
move by the Trump Administration to impose tariffs on their steel
and aluminum exports to the United States. That sets the stage
for what could potentially become a full-fledged trade war with
whisky as a weapon, and whisky makers are worried that the U.S.
will respond with tariffs against their whiskies. We'll talk with
William Lavelle of the Irish Whiskey Association, who's urging
European Union leaders to carefully consider the economic impact
of their plans. We'll also explain just how tariffs on whisky
imports work in our Behind the Label segment, and share some of
your reactions on Your Voice. In the news, the ringleader of the
"Pappygate" distillery thefts in Kentucky has been sentenced to
15 years in prison, but there's still no verdict yet on the fate
of the stolen whiskey.