Tension brews as Trump tariffs ignite global whiskey boycott
The Japanese owner of whiskey brands Jim Beam and Maker's Mark anticipates that some global consumers may boycott its American brands. This comes in response to recent decrees by U.S. President Donald Trump implementing tariffs on foreign products.
On Saturday, Trump signed an order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on oil and gas. Canada responded to Trump's tariffs with its own retaliatory package, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday night. The package begins by imposing tariffs on U.S. goods worth $30 (CAD 43) billion on Tuesday and then $125 (CAD 180) billion within 21 days.
In light of these actions, Canadian provinces have begun boycotting American alcohol. Canadian alcohol producers are welcoming the decision by several provinces to withdraw American beverages from local liquor stores.
Global boycott of American alcohol?
The Japanese owner of whiskey brands Jim Beam and Maker's Mark foresees that some global consumers will boycott its American brands in response to Donald Trump's actions.
The CEO of beverage giant Suntory Holdings, Takeshi Niinami, predicts that its American brands will be "less accepted" due to the threat of tariffs and "emotion" of consumers in major markets, including Europe.
"Our plan is less export from the US to other countries like [in] Europe, Mexico and Canada. We have to be more focused on the US to sell American whiskey."
Did Trump start a trade war?
Over the weekend, Trump issued a decree introducing 25 per cent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, and additional 10 per cent tariffs on goods from China. He then said he would "absolutely" implement trade restrictions on Europe.
However, on Monday, he announced on the Truth Social platform that the United States suspended, for a month, the 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico.
The same suspension was applied to tariffs on Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after a discussion with Trump, stated that "Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together."
