Overview

• The Trump administration has implemented a 25% tariff on imported beer, categorizing it as an aluminum-linked product, effective April 2, 2025.
• This tariff rate is higher than the 20% applied to most other European food and drink imports, raising concerns about targeted economic measures.
• European brewers, including major exporters like Heineken and Guinness, warn of significant job losses and are urging the European Commission to negotiate or retaliate diplomatically.
• The tariff applies globally, impacting major beer exporters such as Mexico, which supplies over 60% of U.S. beer imports, as well as EU nations like Belgium and the UK.
• Uncertainty over the tariff's scope and duration has left brewers hesitant to ship products, with industry representatives describing the measure as damaging to an already precarious sector.