Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has expressed concern over Canadian retaliatory tariffs on American liquor, including state-signature bourbon. The move, which includes removing American whiskey from store shelves in some provinces, threatens the economy and future of Kentucky’s bourbon industry.
Beshear attributes the uncertainty directly to President Donald Trump, saying he started the trade war that prompted Canada’s response. He has urged Canadian officials to consider alternative responses that don’t harm Kentucky businesses. Beshear stated that a unified stance from Kentucky leaders is clear: tariffs on American spirits are detrimental and should be reconsidered.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association echoes Beshear’s concerns, warning of “far-reaching consequences” for American workers and communities reliant on bourbon production. They emphasize the importance of opening markets globally to grow the industry and stress that bourbon jobs are American jobs that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Source: https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/beshear-responds-to-tariffs-on-kentucky-products-bourbon