Beer Institute asks President Trump to provide exemption for imported aluminum used to make beer cans

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jim McGreevy, Beer Institute President and CEO, released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% tariff on imported aluminum:

"This tariff on aluminum will hurt American breweries and beer importers that are employing Americans and producing beer, America's most popular alcohol beverage. Our nation's more than 5,000 active breweries are supporting more than 2.2 million jobs and helping to pour more than $350 billion into our national economy. This tariff will raise costs and slow the innovation that has made our nation's beer industry more vibrant than at any point in history.

"We appreciate President Trump's commitment to protecting American jobs. We know that he wants to defend all American workers and our nation's aluminum industry. However, these tariffs will do the opposite. A 10% tariff would be a new $347 million annual tax on America's brewers and beer importers and could lead to the loss of more than 20,000 American jobs from people whose livelihood depends on the U.S. beer industry.

"The majority of Americans oppose implementing these tariffs because they will raise the cost of products, including beer, that Americans eat, drink, and enjoy.

"We have not yet seen the order formalizing these tariffs. If possible, the Beer Institute will work with our member companies to file an exclusion request with the Department of Commerce. It is critical that if the president and his administration choose to impose any tariffs, they be carefully targeted only to protect America's national security interests. Imported aluminum used to make beer cans is not a threat to national security."

The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing brewers of all sizes, as well as beer importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association, the Beer Institute is committed today to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility. For additional updates from the Beer Institute, visit our website, follow @BeerInstitute on Twitter, like the Beer Institute on Facebook, and follow the Beer Institute on Instagram.

SOURCE Beer Institute