In a recent development, the European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has officially released a revised list of American products that will be subject to an average 25% tariff as retaliation against the United States' tariffs on European steel and aluminum.

Notably, bourbon has been removed from this list, a significant change from the initial sanctions proposal.

This adjustment comes in response to concerns raised by various EU member states, including France, Italy, and Ireland, who lobbied for the bourbon's exclusion.

The decision to omit bourbon aims to mitigate the potential backlash from US President Donald Trump, who had threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200% on European wine and spirits if Brussels pursued sanctions against American whiskey.

This warning raised alarms within Spain’s wine sector, which is likely to feel the impact of the forthcoming 20% tariff on all European products.

European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic addressed the press, stating that the revisions to the tariff list were made after consultations with capital cities and feedback from over 660 affected entities.

He noted that the total volume of trade impacted has been reduced from an initial estimate of €26 billion to a more manageable figure, further emphasizing that the EU is moving away from a tit-for-tat approach.

Sefcovic highlighted that the EU's actions are a direct response to US measures, expressing hope for a future of mutually beneficial trade relations.

The new tariffs will be implemented incrementally, allowing time for further negotiations.

The first phase, which will affect less critical products, is scheduled to commence on April 15, while most retaliatory measures are postponed until May 15.

Italy and Hungary, governments aligned closely with Trump's administration, requested additional delays in the implementation, but the majority of EU member states have agreed to the proposed timeline.

Historically, the US and EU enjoyed zero tariffs on alcoholic beverages since 1997. However, the initial imposition of a 25% tariff on American whiskey by the EU in 2018 was a direct reaction to US tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

Consequently, this prior measure led to a noticeable decline in US whiskey exports to Europe, plummeting by 20% from $552 million to $440 million.

In recent years, following the suspension of European tariffs under an agreement with President Joe Biden, exports of bourbon to the EU have surged nearly 60%, climbing from $439 million in 2021 to $699 million in 2024.