WASHINGTON, D.C., 02/11/2021 – Today Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America CEO and President Michelle Korsmo issued the below statement in response to the Biden Administration’s decision to forego a new tariff rotation in the ongoing WTO Airbus/Boeing dispute:
“WSWA applauds today’s decision by the Biden Administration to forgo additional tariff action on wine and spirits products from the European Union, and we continue to be optimistic that this Administration will return to a trade policy that prioritizes diplomacy over tariffs.
“Nearly 1,000 American alcohol distributor jobs continue to be threatened because of higher costs and lost sales resulting from these tariffs. Including all firms in the wine and spirits industry, those that supply the industry and those who depend on re-spending by direct and supplier firm employees, a total of nearly 35,100 jobs remain in jeopardy and the American economy is at risk of losing nearly $4 billion in economic activity at a time when the country can ill afford it.
A commitment to de-escalation and abandoning the tit-for-tat approach on this long-running dispute is a welcome sign that the Biden Administration cares about U.S. economic growth, rebuilding the transatlantic relationship, and delivering relief to our industry still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
-WSWA CEO & President Michelle Korsmo
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States.
To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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