US and EU Lawmakers Endorse Elimination of Wine Tariffs and “Zero for Zero”

Wine Institute and CEEV Applaud Strong Show of Support for Transatlantic Wine Trade.

WASHINGTON, DC AND BRUSSELS – Wine Institute and Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) issued the following statement today in response to the Common Statement on the US-EU Wine Trade Relationship signed jointly by members of the U.S. Congress and members of the European Parliament. A total 85 US and EU lawmakers endorsed the statement’s clear call for the removal of all tariffs on wine traded between the two markets. The statement acknowledges the harmful impact of retaliatory tariffs and calls on the leadership of the US and EU to work towards a ‘zero for zero’ tariff-free wine trade environment.

“Wine is a truly unique product and tariff free trade benefits our family wineries, farmers, retailers and hospitality businesses that make up our sector as well as consumers on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Bobby Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. “We applaud the Congressional Wine Caucus and their European counterparts for leading this effort to achieve zero for zero. This, more than anything, will help enhance the positive impact of our trade relationship.”

“A free wine trade environment is essential to preserve the longstanding efforts and investments of our wine companies and the sustainability of our vineyards”, said Jean Marie Barillère, President of the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins. “European Parliament Wine Intergroup and Congressional Wine Caucus are well aware of the unique benefits of the wine trade and the importance of eliminating tariffs of any kind”.

A copy of the Common Statement on the US-EU Wine Trade and a list of signatories can be found here.

ABOUT US:

–Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (www.ceev.eu) was founded in 1960 and represents the European Union wine companies in the industry and trade (still wines, aromatised wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines and other vine products). It brings together 23 national organisations from 11 EU Member States, plus Switzerland and United Kingdom and Ukraine, as well as a consortium of 4 leading European wine companies. The companies represented by CEEV, mainly small and medium sized companies, produce and market most quality European wines, both with and without a geographical indication, and account for over 90% of European wine exports.

̶ Wine Institute (www.wineinstitute.org) is the premier organization representing California wineries in the US and around the world. With more than 1,000 winery and affiliated business members, Wine Institutes initiates and advocates public policy that enhances the ability to responsibly produce and export wine. California is the fourth largest wine producing region in the world and produces more than 80 percent of total US wine production and 95 percent of US wine exports.