Business
22:12, 22-Mar-2018
US bourbon makers worried about tariff fallout
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Since the Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, the quintessential American product Bourbon is drawn into a global war. That's because bourbon has been placed on a retaliatory tariff list drawn up by the European Commission.
It is estimated that bourbon industry generated 17,500 jobs in America. But now bourbon is losing its most lucrative market which has caused concern at local "Bourbon Society".
"Global trade is important and should be more open versus penalizing people. It's just unnecessary I think to play political games with it. It means a lot to people. It means a lot of jobs," said Evan Thurmond, president of The Bourbon Society.
The bourbon industry has enjoyed an impressive boom in recent years. Established brands have expanded their operations, while new bourbon companies
continue to enter the market. But some here fear any international tariffs could dent that growth and hurt the industry inevitably. And the market may also become an unwitting pawn in an international trade war.