The bourbon industry “hate” as a target for Trump’s trade war, says Rand Paul
Raj Bhakta, founder of Whistlepig Whiskey, discusses President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the success of his company.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul warned the president Donald Trump’s Tariffs could collide with consumers this fall, and the state’s signature bourbon industry is among those at risk.
“We’ll see the impact of tariffs this fall,” Paul told Fox Business, adding that Bourbon, America’s beloved native spirit, is often a simple target for trade wars.
From Bourbon to Bordeaux: Trump’s tariffs flow to global liquor markets
In the conflict of trade disputes during Trump’s first term, european union Targeted Senate Republican leaders’ hometowns Mitch McConnell By slapping 25% retaliation tariffs on bourbon.
“The bourbon industry absolutely hates that,” Paul said during a discussion at the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that is leaning towards libertarians. “When I get home, I haven’t yet met any businessmen or women who say, ‘Oh, I love tariffs’. That’s the opposite,” he added.
Kentucky According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, it is the epicenter of the bourbon industry, generating 95% of global supply, supporting $9 billion a year, and generating $9 billion a year.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican Sen. from Kentucky, warned that the tariffs on President Donald Trump could hit consumers this fall. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trade uncertainty continues to pour into the global liquor market, and the industry is increasingly on the sidelines with major trade agreements.
American distillers wanting favorable trade deals amid Trump’s tariffs: “Industry must be immunized”
Over the weekend, Trump announced his deal with european union, However, it ruled out solutions specifically in the wine and spirit sector.
“It’s very sad and totally upset that the US and the EU have yet to reach a spirit agreement,” wrote Chris Swanger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, a Washington-based trade association.
Workers will travel bourbon barrels at Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky on February 17, 2020. (Bryan Woolston/Getty Images/Getty Images)
When it comes to alcohol, Europe is America’s top client, importing approximately $1.2 billion into US spirits in 2024.
Alcohol was also ranked among them of the European Union According to Eurostat data, in 2024, it exported a total of around $10.5 billion to the United States.
According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, Kentucky is the epicenter of the bourbon industry, generating 95% of global supply and supporting $9 billion a year. (Getty Images/Zed Jameson via Getty Images/Bloomberg)
Swonger previously said that removing tariffs and placing spirit on the tariff exemption list would be ideal. Trade negotiations.
When asked if Bourbon could be placed on the tariff exemption list, Paul said he hadn’t had much success in the past.
“I would say that in the last Trump administration, businesses would call me wanting exemptions, and I wasn’t often exempt for anyone,” Paul told Fox Business.