Petition With 21,000 Signatures Urges Trump to End Tariffs Threatening $476 Billion U.S. Wine and Spirits Sector

A coalition of American wine and spirits industry groups, known as Toasts Not Tariffs, has delivered a petition to former President Donald Trump, urging him to remove tariffs on European and British alcoholic beverages. The petition, which gathered more than 21,000 signatures, was sent on December 10 and calls for the immediate removal of tariffs on spirits and wine products from the European Union and the United Kingdom.

This is the second time in six months that the coalition has appealed directly to Trump. In their message, they warned that if the current 15% tariff on EU spirits and wines and the 10% tariff on UK spirits remain in place, the consequences for American businesses could be severe. The group highlighted that restaurants and bars across the United States are already struggling with rising costs and declining sales of wine and spirits. They argue that continued tariffs could lead to further job losses, reduced consumer choice, and a slowdown in economic activity nationwide.

The coalition’s letter emphasized the significant role that the wine and spirits industries play in the U.S. economy. According to their data, these sectors contribute more than $476 billion annually and support over 3.5 million jobs. The letter also referenced past trade disputes, noting that when the European Union imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff on American whiskeys between 2018 and 2021, U.S. exports to Europe dropped by 20%. Although those EU tariffs are currently suspended, there is concern that without a permanent agreement, American alcohol exports could face a new 30% tariff as soon as February 2026.

Toasts Not Tariffs described the hospitality industry as a cornerstone of American life, employing millions of people and generating trillions in revenue each year. The group argued that wine and spirits are not just commodities but serve as cultural ambassadors tied to specific regions. They stressed that production cannot simply be moved elsewhere to avoid tariffs.

The petition follows a similar effort in June, which collected more than 19,000 signatures from people worried about the impact of tariffs on American businesses and consumer options. Industry leaders say tariffs have already caused damage. In Canada, for example, some American spirits have been removed from store shelves in response to trade disputes. Brown-Forman, owner of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, reported a 61% drop in second-quarter sales in Canada after these measures were enacted.

Industry representatives continue to press for a resolution before further economic harm is done. They warn that unless action is taken soon, both American producers and consumers will face higher prices and fewer choices at home and abroad.