EU Delays 50% Tariffs on American Whiskey Until Mid-April

The European Union has postponed the proposed 50% tariffs on American whiskey until mid-April, linking them to counter-tariffs against U.S. steel and aluminum duties. The shift in the tariff timeline, originally set to take effect on April 1st, allows for further negotiations with U.S. officials, an EU representative announced on Thursday (March 20, 2025). American distillers have rushed to prepare for the EU tariffs, including some companies that are transporting as much product as possible to Europe, one of the largest export markets for the industry. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a 200% tariff on all alcoholic products imported from the EU. “The EU remains ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the U.S. to seek a solution that avoids unnecessary damage to both economies,” the representative stated in an emailed statement.