EU And US Reach Agreement, But Import Tariff On Whisky Is Imposed

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at 07:00

The European Union and the United States have finally reached an agreement on import duties, averting a potential trade war. However, tariffs on products like whisky will still rise, though less than initially feared.

FAQ

How does this agreement prevent a trade war between the US and the EU?
The plans prevent mutual threats of higher tariffs.
Will EU whisky become more expensive?
Yes, importing European whisky into the US will be more expensive under this agreement, but not as costly as initially threatened.
What are the new US import tariffs?
15%.

An agreement to avoid the worst

The decision has finally been made, easing tensions beween the countries. The European Union and the United States met on Sunday concerning the imminent import tariffs of both countries.

During the talks, they reached an agreement that averted a looming trade war. This would have hurt lovers of all kinds of whisky and producers of the liquor.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, the agreement ‘brings stability’ to the trade relationship. President Trump spoke of ‘a good deal for everyone’.

The only thing is, the import tariffs from the United States have not been completely abolished. The US will impose a 15% tariff on most European goods, including whisky.

Whisky in the US to get more expensive

This means that importing whisky and other drinks from Europe will still become more expensive. What this means for the industry is still unclear, but it could have been worse.

The original tariffs from the US were set at 50 percent. Conversely, the United States would also face high tariffs, but these seem to have been completely abolished. In fact, the EU has to pay the US for this deal.

It was discussed that the EU purchases $750 billion of energy and makes an additional $600 billion in investments.

Who is the real winner of the negotiations?

The question remains: who benefits most from this deal? The EU secures lower import tariffs but must invest billions in return. Essentially, the EU is still paying more, while the US faces no changes to its tariffs.

The deal may see minor adjustments, as not all details have been finalized, but significant changes are unlikely.

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