spiritsEUROPE urges US tariff relief extension

spiritsEUROPE is urging the US to extend its UK whisky tariff exemption to EU spirits under the Zero-for-Zero framework

spiritsEUROPE welcomes the exemption granted for UK whiskies from US Section 301 forced labour tariffs, following the overnight announcement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

This demonstrates that targeted solutions recognising the distinctive nature of spirits products and the high value of transatlantic spirits trade are possible.

spiritsEUROPE calls for this tariff exemption to be extended to EU spirits.

“spiritsEUROPE welcomes the US tariff exemption for UK whiskies, a constructive step that recognises the distinctive nature of these products and the high value of transatlantic spirits trade,” said Mark Titterington, director general of spiritsEUROPE.

“spiritsEUROPE urges that this momentum now be extended to EU spirits through a full restoration of the ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff framework, for the benefit of the hospitality sector on both sides and to further support transatlantic trade in US oak barrels.”

The European and US spirits sectors have long been part of a shared transatlantic story, built on cross-investment, shared heritage and deeply interconnected value chains.

The Zero-for-Zero agreement supported decades of growth in spirits trade and investment, benefiting producers, consumers and hospitality businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Turnberry agreement established a framework for continued EU-US dialogue and provides for the consideration of additional sectors and products for Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment.

Building on the momentum created by the US tariff exemption for UK whiskies, EU and US policymakers should now prioritise equivalent tariff treatment for EU spirits, as part of the return to the Zero-for-Zero framework.

This would reinforce a partnership that has delivered significant benefits for both economies.