The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition delivered a petition to President Trump signed by more than 21,000 hospitality industry supporters, calling for immediate action to remove tariffs on U.S., EU and UK spirits and wine products. This marks the second tariff petition sent to the President in the past six months.

The petition warned, “If the 15% tariff on EU spirits and wines and the 10% tariff on UK spirits continues, the consequences will be severe. U.S. restaurants and bars, already battling rising costs and declining wine and spirits sales, will be hit with another blow that could trigger even more job losses, reduce consumer choice and stall economic activity across the country.”

The signers emphasized that a permanent return to fair and reciprocal trade protects the U.S. wine and spirits sectors, which contribute over $476 billion in annual economic activity and support more than 3.5 million jobs.

Members of the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition, a group of 57 associations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry and related sectors, mobilized members and partners nationwide to amplify the petition and voice concerns over the risks of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. wine and spirits exports.

The petition highlighted the damaging impact of retaliatory tariffs, noting that when the EU imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff on American Whiskeys from 2018 to 2021, exports to the EU plunged by 20%.

While the EU’s retaliatory tariff on U.S. beverage alcohol products is currently suspended, American distillers and vintners face uncertainty with the looming threat of a 30% EU retaliatory tariff in February 2026. This escalation could force craft distilleries and wineries to close, devastating local communities across the country.

The signers stressed, “The hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, bars, retail stores, etc. is not just a sector. It’s a cornerstone of American life. It employs millions of Americans, generates trillions in annual revenue, and helps communities connect. Spirits and wines are more than commodities; they are cultural ambassadors. They are unique products, often tied to specific geographical regions. Production of these products cannot simply be relocated to circumvent the tariffs.”

The petition urged President Trump to take immediate action to protect the U.S. hospitality industry, noting that these tariffs are hitting the U.S. restaurants, bars and retail outlets during the critical make-or-break holiday selling season. A return to fair and reciprocal trade is a win for the U.S. consumer, the hospitality industry and the Administration.

This effort builds on a June petition drive organized by the Toasts Not Tariffs coalition and DISCUS, when more than 19,000 supporters raised concerns to the Trump administration about the tariffs’ impact on U.S. businesses and consumer choice.

For more information, visit https://distilledspirits.org/toasts-not-tariffs-coalition/.

Read more: Toasts Not Tariffs Urges Trump for Tariff-Free Spirits Trade with EU