This is a repost from the Court of Master Sommeliers:

As many of you are aware, there is a proposal to place 100% tariffs on most wines and spirits from European Union nations (For background, click here). These products are being targeted as part of an effort to settle a dispute between the U.S. and the E.U. over aircraft manufacturing. There is already a 25% tariff on imports from some European nations, and these could increase to 100% if this proposal were adopted. These tariffs would have a devastating impact on many U.S. businesses engaged in the beverage and hospitality industries, especially smaller and mid-size businesses who specialize in the import, distribution and sale of European wines and spirits, as well as restaurants across the country. American consumers would also be harmed by higher prices and fewer choices in the market.
 
As recognized leaders of our industry, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas filed formal comments yesterday opposing the imposition of these tariffs and requesting that the current 25% tariff imposed on several European nations’ wines and spirits be lifted. The Court is also undertaking efforts to increase awareness of the potential harms this proposal would unleash and to encourage affected individuals and businesses to take action right now to oppose these tariffs.
 
If you have not done so already, please take a few moments to file your own comments with the U.S. Trade Representative by clicking here.  The USTR is particularly focused on whether imposing the additional duties “would cause disproportionate economic harm to U.S. interests, including small or medium-sized businesses and consumers.” Our community spans the full spectrum of the beverage supply chain, and many of you speak every day with consumers and businesses who would be impacted by this drastic action. If you would like, you can use or modify the comment below.
 
Comments must be received by Monday, January 13.
 
We cannot sit silently on the sidelines while our federal government contemplates such damaging and far-reaching policies. Our voices must be heard. Thank you for helping spread the word and opposing these tariff proposals.
 
To make it easy, you may copy and paste the following by submitting here.

As a wine professional, I am writing to oppose the imposition of new and expanded duties on wines, spirits and related products from European Union nations. Since October 18, a 25% duty has been imposed on most wine from France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. These tariffs have already had a negative impact on wine sales and consumer choice. Raising those duties to 100% and adding new 100% duties on beverage products from other E.U. member states would imperil numerous U.S. small and mid-size businesses that rely on the sale and distribution of those products, including mine. 
 
Wines and spirits have no relationship to the matter causing the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. Imposing severe duties on these products could have long-lasting unintended consequences including the closing of numerous small businesses and the loss of thousands of U.S. jobs in the beverage trade and hospitality industries. American consumers will be forced to pay higher prices, whether at retail stores or at restaurants, for their favorite wines and spirits, and they will have fewer choices. I urge you to consider other means of achieving U.S. policy with respect to settling the aircraft dispute and eliminate the existing 25% duties on European wines and spirits.
 
 

Thank you for joining us in taking action!

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