The US wine industry has long maintained that wine, unlike manufactured goods, is a unique agricultural product and should not be targeted in trade disputes unrelated to the sector
The new tariffs will only make it harder for American wineries to regain access to Canada, by far its most important export market
The whole world is reeling from the tariffs announced by the US administration this week. Despite it being worrying for Ireland, the greater EU and many other nations around the world, drinks producers in the US are equally worried.
A statement released from Robert P. Koch, the president of The US Wine Institute (an advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses) says that this isn’t just affecting trade but people’s livelihoods.
Wineries across the country continue to suffer economic harm from Canada’s total ban on US wine sales. Since early March, wine, beer and spirits have been the only US products completely barred from entering and being sold in the Canadian market. Prior to these actions, Canada accounted for 35% of all US wine exports, with a retail value of more than $1.1 billion.
“This isn’t just about trade. It’s about people, livelihoods and an agricultural success story built over generations. When our industry is disrupted, the impact reaches far beyond the winery — affecting farmworkers, distributors, small businesses, restaurants and entire communities across the country,” he said.
“Today’s announcement of new tariffs will only make it harder for American wineries to regain access to Canada, by far our most important export market. In early March, Canada cleared its shelves of all US wine and continues to block its sale. As this dispute drags on, it is creating economic instability at a time when the industry is already under significant pressure.”
The US wine industry has long maintained that wine, unlike manufactured goods, is a unique agricultural product and should not be targeted in trade disputes unrelated to the sector. Wine Institute continues to strongly advocate for the removal of wine from all trade retaliation lists, regardless of the market. Retaliatory tariffs not only harm US wine producers but also stall growth and innovation across the entire wine sector.