DOGE's Next Target Set To Hand 401K Savers A Windfall?

Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has already uncovered $55B in waste--and Trump's backing his plan to return $2T in savings to taxpayers. But why wait? Unlock a legal Trump IRS loophole to protect & grow your wealth NOW!

Kentucky bourbon makers fear becoming 'collateral damage' in Trump's trade war

BRUCE SCHREINER and DYLAN LOVAN
March 11, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- With a new distillery set to open soon, the makers of Brough Brothers bourbon in Kentucky were ready to put their business plan into action. They were looking to ramp up whiskey production to break into lucrative new markets in Canada and Europe.

Now the on-again, off-again threat of tariffs has disrupted those plans.

Efforts by the Black-owned distiller to gain a foothold in Canada are on hold, as are plans to break into Germany and France, said Brough Brothers Distillery CEO Victor Yarbrough. That's because the iconic American spirit's widening global appeal is caught in the crossfire of trade conflicts instigated by President Donald Trump.

"It's extremely frustrating," said Yarbrough, who started the Louisville distilling company with his brothers, Bryson and Chris. "We are collateral damage."

For distillers looking to sell to consumers of all political stripes, talking politics can be as distasteful as discussing Prohibition. But along with the turmoil and uncertainty over tariffs, bourbon makers and other U.S. firms trying to do business in Canada are confronting public relations challenges still reverberating from the president's blunt-force "America First" approach to international relations.

With Canadian hockey fans booing the U.S. national anthem and some liquor stores north of the border clearing American spirits from their shelves even before there's clarity over tariffs, businesses like Brough Brothers are watching to see how the trade conflict plays out.

In the building being converted into the new distillery near the Ohio River, drywall dust covers the floor of the project that the brothers hope will raise the company's profile in the ultra-competitive bourbon world.

"I believe there's going to be some type of repair of the relationships that needs to happen," said Yarbrough, who was hoping, before the trade war erupted, to introduce his bourbon in New Brunswick and later expand to Ontario and other parts of Canada. "So I think some type of media blitz, PR blitz is definitely going to have to take place."

An expanding market hampered by uncertainty

The trade wars pose an immediate threat to an American-made success story, built on the growing worldwide taste for bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and other products.

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said the president's zig-zagging tariff policy is hurting the American economy and will lead to higher consumer prices while disrupting business.

"It's not just the imposition of tariffs, it's this month-to-month, 'I may do it to you at any moment' policy," said Beshear, a potential presidential candidate in 2028. "You can't create stability."

Trump on Thursday postponed 25% tariffs on some imports from Canada for a month amid fears of the economic fallout from a broader trade war. Yarbrough said his company's expansion plans are still in limbo.

"It doesn't change our situation," he said. "Just as quickly as it changed to a reprieve, it could just as quickly turn into next month that we're back on."

For an industry that has to plan well into the future, based on aging its whiskey products, such angst is widespread in Kentucky, which produces 95% of the world's bourbon supply. At this point even a delay in tariffs wouldn't alleviate the practical problems confronting U.S. whiskey makers.

"The issue for us is long-term planning, and a postponement does nothing for us in long-term planning except leaves it still up in the air," said Judy Hollis Jones, president and CEO of Buzzard's Roost in Louisville, which sells to two provinces in Canada and has been looking to expand.

"Maybe other people adapt to it easier than I do, but I tend to like some certainty," Jones said.

The Kentucky Distillers' Association says the newest trade conflicts feel like deja vu. The industry group has long sounded the alarm that tariffs and retaliatory levies would wreak havoc on the spirits industry. Along with the North American trade dispute, the European Union is set to reinstate a tariff by April 1 on American whiskey if nothing is done to head it off.

That trans-Atlantic dispute is a reprise of Trump's first-term tariffs on European steel and aluminum. The EU's retaliatory tariff caused American whiskey exports to the EU to plunge 20%, costing distillers more than $100 million in revenue from 2018 to 2021, the Distilled Spirits Council says. Once the tariff was suspended, EU sales rebounded for American distillers.

Threat of 'irreparable harm' to distillers

Now, Europe's infatuation with Kentucky bourbon and other U.S. spirits is threatened by the potential 50% tariff -- double the previous levy -- that would inflict "irreparable harm to distillers large and small," said Chris Swonger, the council's CEO.

Tariffs amount to a tax, which whiskey producers can either absorb in reduced profits or pass along to customers through higher prices -- and risk losing market share in highly competitive markets. In 2024, the EU was by far the largest export market for U.S. distilled spirits, followed by Canada, the council said.

Trump maintains that open trade has cost the U.S. millions of factory jobs and that tariffs are the path to American-made prosperity.

Large distillers possess the capital and market reach to ride out disruptions caused by tariffs -- built-in luxuries that most small producers don't have.

Canada accounts for just 1% of total sales for Brown-Forman Corp., the maker of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, and the Louisville-based company could withstand disruptions there, said its CEO, Lawson Whiting.

But Whiting said the decision by Canadian provinces to take American products off store shelves is "worse than a tariff because it's literally taking your sales away." He called it "a very disproportionate response to a 25% tariff."

The threat of a prolonged trade war has Brough Brothers exploring other options. They could lean harder into domestic sales or look for other markets overseas -- but again, it's hard to plan.

"Talking about this is starting to make my head hurt," Yarbrough said.

For Tom Bard, another Kentucky craft distiller, the risk is that all his hard work to gain a foothold in Canada could evaporate due to the cross-border trade conflict.

Bard and his wife, Kim, own The Bard Distillery in Muhlenberg County in western Kentucky. Their products had penetrated British Columbia and Alberta, but a new purchase order for north of the border is on hold amid Trump's ever-changing trade war.

"That hurts," Bard said. "For a small distillery like us, where every single pallet that goes out the door makes a huge difference, that's huge for us."

Bard said his team invested heavily to break into Canada, where business grew so quickly that he had hoped it would account for at least 25% of his overall sales this year.

"We'd love to ship as much of it as we can to Canada," Bard said. "We just expanded our distillery to take advantage of all the global demand for our products. What we hate is that once we get this equipment online this year, that we won't be able to run it full throttle because we'll be afraid to put too much inventory away not knowing what's going to happen."

The dispute needs to be resolved before Canadian distributors will risk accepting shipments of American spirits, he said.

Bard plans to ramp up domestic distribution to try to make up for lost sales in Canada.

"We're small-business Americans, so we're going to make it work," he said. "But it would be nice to not have these roadblocks."

___

Associated Press writer Paul Harloff in New York contributed to this report.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats

A California pet food maker has recalled its raw chicken products after they were linked to in two cats and suspected in a third in New York City.

Breweries and maple syrup producer among Vermont businesses hit by Trump's tariffs on Canada

NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) — Business owners from both sides of the U.S.-Canada border gathered Tuesday in Vermont to share how the Trump administration's sweeping tariffs have affected their industries.

Wall Street Legend Now Calling Exact Day Next Market Crash Will Start? - Ad

Perhaps no one on or off Wall Street has more accurate in calling the market turns of the past 7 years. From the bear markets of 2018 and 2022... to the roaring bull runs of 2021, 2023, and 2024. And now, Marc Chaikin is predicting the exact month (even the exact day!) the next crash is most likely to start--don't miss this huge and important new call.

Brazilian authorities suspend the airline involved in last year's crash that killed 62

SAO PAULO (AP) — aviation agency on Tuesday suspended the operating license for local airline Voepass, citing security risks as an investigation continues into a that killed all 62 people on board.

Trump's Economic Plan Is Driving a "Golden Anomaly" in Tiny Gold Miners - Ad

Trump's plan to revalue gold and decrease the US debt burden is causing a major dislocation in four small gold miners. Some 30 million ounces of gold have left London for the US. If you want to know why - and why four little-known gold miners are up 136% in just the last 12 months while major gold ETFs have barely moved...

Meet the federal worker who went rogue: I hope that it lights a fire under people

NEW YORK (AP) — To billionaire Elon Musk and his cost-cutting team at the Department of Government Efficiency, Karen Ortiz may just be one of many faceless bureaucrats. But to some of her colleagues, she is giving a voice to those who feel they can't speak out.

Canada Claps Back At 'Unjustified' Trump Tariffs On Dairy, Lumber

Canada's Trade Minister Mary Ng called the potential dairy tariffs "completely unjustified" and emphasized efforts to remove existing tariffs.

New Study: 50 Stocks Will Crash While 7 MAGA Stocks Will Soar - Ad

If you own any of these stocks -- directly or through mutual funds -- I want to encourage you to sell them before April 30th. I've compiled all 50 companies in my "MAGA Blacklist" report. Your retirement could depend on seeing this list.

Canadian man sentenced to 25 years for shootings that damaged pipeline and power station in Dakotas

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Canadian man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for shootings at an oil pipeline in South Dakota and an electrical substation in North Dakota that caused $1.7 million in damages after a judge found that his crimes met the definition of terrorism.

This 'Dune' isn't fiction. It's the longest conveyer belt in the US and moving sand in Texas

KERMIT, Texas (AP) — It's longer than the width of Rhode Island, snakes across the oil fields of the southwest U.S. and crawls at 10 mph – too slow for a truck and too long for a train.

Warning: China Launches AI Attack on America - Ad

China just launched what can only be described as an AI attack on America. And according to Louis Navellier, the legendary investor who picked Nvidia before shares exploded as high as 3,423%... President Trump is already planning a counter attack. And it's creating an incredible opportunity for you in this small group of AI stocks.

Sam Bankman-Fried Says 'When Rubber Meets The Road' On Crypto's Fate Under Trump, Slams Biden's Policies

Disgraced cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried weighed in on the future of digital assets under President Donald Trump’s administration, according to an interview from his prison released Thursday.

Intel Beats Investor Lawsuit After $32 Billion Stock Plunge - Judge Rules Foundry Losses Weren't Misleading

Intel secured a legal victory after a U.S. judge dismissed a shareholder lawsuit alleging the company misled investors about foundry losses, which contributed to a $32 billion stock plunge.

Trump, Musk & the Gold Play No One Sees Coming - Ad

Fort Knox mystery could send gold skyrocketing. Because the real danger isn't missing gold. It's decades of Fed manipulation collapsing overnight. Right now, I've uncovered 5 major gold predictions that could make this Fort Knox moment even bigger than people realize. One of them is already unfolding.

Tesla's China Boom, Rivian's Sweet Ride, And Trump's Tariffs Threat: This Week In Mobility

The EV industry saw major developments over the weekend, with Tesla's Model Y surging in China, its Model S/X retreating from Japan, Rivian unveiling its Georgia timeline and an ice cream truck partnership, and Trump's tariffs threatening the profits of Detroit's Big Three automakers.

Elon Musk's SpaceX Successfully Catches Super Heavy Booster With 'Mechazilla,' But Starship Upper Stage Lost In Test Flight

SpaceX marked a significant advancement in rocket reusability on Mar. 7 when the launch tower successfully caught its Super Heavy booster during Starship's eighth test flight, though the mission ended with the loss of the Starship upper stage.

Just Released: Huge New A.I. Trade - Ad

While everyone's distracted by Nvidia, PLTR & Bitcoin, billionaires have been quietly loading up on this stock. And 99% of Americans have no clue. It could help make a fortune for fast-moving investors, who make their move before May 13th.

Here's what tariffs are and how they work

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tariffs are in the news at the moment. Here's what they are and what you need to know about them:

March 20th: The NEXT 50X Nvidia Call - Ad

In 2016 Louis Navellier made a big prediction regarding Nvidia's GPUs... Its stock price was a split-adjusted $1 and went up more than 7,000% at its peak. Don't miss Louis NEXT BIG Nvidia call. (Plus 6 stocks you need to own before March 20th.)

Bill Gates' Next Big AI Bet: Stargate Could Be a Game-Changer - Ad

Jeff Brown, the tech expert who predicted Bitcoin, Nvidia, and Tesla, reveals Bill Gates' new AI project, Stargate. Could this be the next big AI breakthrough?

China is ending its annual Congress with questions open over how to revive its slowing economy

BEIJING (AP) — China is wrapping up its biggest political event of the year on Tuesday leaving one question unanswered: How far will it go to try to revive economic growth in 2025?

Broadcom Shares Jump 13% In After-Hours Trading On Strong AI Results - Gary Black Says, 'This Should Help AI Stocks Tomorrow

Broadcom Inc. shares jumped 12.82% in after-hours trading Thursday after reporting better-than-expected first-quarter results, recovering from a 6.33% drop during regular trading hours amid a broader artificial intelligence chip selloff.

The $20 Trillion Secret of Room 3330 - Ad

Developed by the U.S. military 79 years ago, this controversial technology is about to change American life forever: Elon Musk has already funneled $6 billion to resurrect this covert project -- and the companies involved are minting 10,000 millionaires every week [Goldman Sachs].

Alibaba Unveils New AI Chip To Power China's Open-Source Tech Push, Challenge US Chip Giants

Alibaba's new processor, XuanTie C930, boosts China's semiconductor industry by promoting open-source chips & AI acceleration, amid US sanctions.

Microsoft Pours $297 Million Into AI And Cloud Expansion In South Africa

Microsoft to invest $297 million to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa, enabling organizations to access solutions and certifications in digital skills.

Why Trump's Recent Moves Could Ignite a New Gold Standard - Ad

Donald Trump's bold policies are driving a hidden gold market boom. Garrett Goggin, a renowned precious metals expert with 20+ years of experience, reveals 5 explosive investment opportunities set to explode in this new era. Backed by triple-digit returns in 2024, Garrett's insights show you how to position yourself for wealth in 2025.

What's Going On With Gap Stock Friday?

Gap stock is trading higher on Friday after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday after the market closed.

The Fort Knox Cover-up? What It Means for Gold - Ad

Trump and Musk are demanding answers: Is Fort Knox empty? If the gold is gone, supply collapses, and prices could skyrocket instantly. Right now, I've uncovered 5 major gold predictions that could make this Fort Knox moment even bigger than people realize. One of them is already unfolding--and the window to act is closing fast.

Trump Organization Sues Capital One Over Alleged Political Bias in Account Closures, Eric Trump Leads Charge

The Trump Organization has launched a lawsuit against Capital One, alleging that the bank closed hundreds of Trump-linked accounts for politically motivated reasons.

Bristol Myers Acquired MyoKardia Drops Fulcrum Agreement, Ending Cardiomyopathy Research Deal

MyoKardia, a Bristol Myers unit, is terminating its agreement with Fulcrum Therapeutics, ending a cardiomyopathy research deal set to expire in June 2025.

Warren Buffett's Investing Partner's Shocking Final Move - Ad

Before he passed away, Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's investing partner of 60 years, was rumored to have quietly made one final investment... Up until now, it has remained hidden from the public. It's potentially the smartest, most profitable, and most under-valued AI investment you can make today.

Greece says ambitious Mediterranean power cable project is on track despite setbacks

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The future of an ambitious electricity cable linking the power grids of , and Israel by the end of the decade is on track despite a series of setbacks, Greece’s Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said Thursday.

Fashion trends for fall: Big shoulders, even bigger coats and a color story to dye for

PARIS (AP) — Paris has spoken, and fashion’s final authority has laid down the law: This coming fall, it’s all about power shoulders, enveloping outerwear, and a color palette that runs from somber to surreal.

Gold's About to Go Parabolic? (Trump's First Term Sent It Soaring) - Ad

During President Trump's first term, tariffs & rate cuts sent gold soaring 57%. Now, Trump is using the same playbook. Are you expecting different results? Hint: Gold is now surging, and experts predict gold could hit $4,000... even $10,000! Move funds from your IRA & 401(k) into gold--TAX & PENALTY-FREE--while you still can!

Panama president calls Trump's talk of 'reclaiming' the Panama Canal a lie

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama President José Raúl Mulino on Wednesday accused U.S. President Donald Trump of lying when he said in his address to Congress that his administration was “reclaiming” the Panama Canal.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright technicaltrading.org
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service