Tariff carve out for drinks sector ‘a priority’, Sefcovic says

There should “clearly” be a tariff carve out for wines and spirits, EU’s trade commissioner has said.

Maros Sefcovic said the sector is a priority for European Union when seeking lower tariff rates than the existing 15% rate that the US applies to most goods it imports from the bloc.

He told reporters during a trip to Avondale House in Co Wicklow: “We’ve been working on that from day one and I believe that this is one sector which clearly should be included into the into the carve outs.

“We didn’t secure it with the go but we’ve been very clear with our American partners that is one of the sectors where we have to come back to the situation before April 2 – because it’s important sector for both parties.

“So it’s on our to do list, raising with American partners but I do not have timeline when this could happen.”

He added: “But we know that it’s a priority, because the sector is very strong, in the European Union and also I know that the supply chains are very much intertwined between the EU, Ireland and United States of America.”

Tanaiste and Minister for Trade Simon Harris said the case for a carve out is “compelling”.

He said he told US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week that Irish companies and others have put investment decisions in the US on hold due to the existing 15% tariff.

“So it’s a counter productive situation, I believe, in both directions, and I hope it’s something that we can work on the time ahead.”