Join the Fight! Call and email your representatives and tell them NO to Wine Tariffs!
April 21 Update:
Reciprocal tariffs are paused for 90 days.
We’re making our voices heard!
While there’s not a lot of new information to share this week regarding wine tariffs –and that alone is good news– the encouraging news is that our collective voices are resonating. Lawmakers are starting to listen, and there’s a noticeable shift in tone on Capitol Hill. This change is largely due to the collective and concerted efforts of importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers who continue to actively voice their concerns. Most notably, the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center has filed a lawsuit on behalf of all small businesses involved in the wine trade. It challenges the constitutionality of the “Liberation Day” tariffs imposed by the Administration.
Currently, a 10% tariff remains in place on nearly all imported wines, with the potential for these rates to increase when the 90-day pause expires. The uncertainty surrounding these tariffs is causing crazy disruptions within the wine industry and more broadly, has sent the dollar into a tailspin with the euro. Importers are grappling with unpredictable costs, and small businesses like the AWM are finding it challenging to make concrete plans for the future. The lawsuit filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center looks to halt these tariffs, arguing that they were enacted without proper authority and are causing undue harm to small businesses.
The momentum is currently with us, so it’s crucial to maintain the pressure. If you haven’t already done so, please reach out to your representatives. Personal calls are particularly impactful. Your continued advocacy and participation is really making a difference. Together, we can keep moving toward a solution that supports small businesses in the wine world and helps keep wine affordable for everyone.
Here’s what you can do to help; it only takes a few minutes of your time.
• Call your representatives and senators today. Just like back in the day, a phone call has the most power to influence. Call to share how these tariffs could hurt local businesses, impact your favorite hangouts, and even affect your local dining experience. Make sure to include your zip code during the conversation. Use any or all of the information in this email as talking points. To press the easy button, use or riff on the script I’ve provided below.
• Send a quick email to Congress. A few sentences about how these tariffs could impact your community can really make a difference. Keep your email limited to just this one topic — I’m told that multi-topic emails are often automatically discarded. As with the phone call, use talking points from this email or copy and paste the script below. Make sure to include your zip code in the email.
Senator Ted Budd
304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Email – Contact
Senator Thom Tillis
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Email –Contact
Representative Chuck Edwards
1505 Longworth House Office Building
(202) 225-6401
Email – Contact
Not in Western North Carolina? You can still help. Click here to find your representatives’ contact information.
Talking points and relevant statistics:
In specific economic terms, each $1.00 of imported European wine generates $4.52 in the American economy. Tampering with this equation will produce a ripple effect that will lead to:
• Over 350,000 restaurants facing higher costs and significantly reduced profits — we can’t afford to lose any more restaurants in Western North Carolina
• More than 50,000 wine retailers who will try their best to stay in business. Small, locally owned, independent retailers like the AWM are especially vulnerable.
• 4,000 wine importers and distributors will be at risk of shutting down — Again, the big corporate players can weather the storm and wait for better times. Importers and distributors like my friends Kate at Rise over Run, Jean-Phillipe at JP Selections, and Mike Tiano of Haw River Wine Man will face even more hardship, unthinkable after Helene.
• Many small U.S. wineries and distilleries face losing their key distribution channels since they share this network with imported wine.
Quick Call and Email Script to Contact Congress About Wine Tariffs
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling from [Your town or city, and zip code] in Western North Carolina. I’m a constituent who is very concerned about the proposed 200% wine tariffs being put forward by President Trump.
I’m calling to express my strong opposition to wine tariffs. Imposing these steep tariffs on European wine will hurt all of our Main Street businesses. The locally owned wine shops, independent importers, distributors, restaurants, and related businesses we love may be forced to close. I’m also very concerned this will sabotage the the broader economic recovery efforts we desperately need right now.
I urge [Representative/Senator’s Name] to oppose any new wine tariffs and protect everyday Americans like us. Please ask President Trump to find a fair trade solution that doesn’t put a burden on our local economy and members of the community.
Thank you for taking the time to listen. Please let [Representative/Senator’s Name] know we’re counting on his support. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to protect our local jobs and economy.”