Since Prohibition's repeal, few voters have focused on alcohol as a relevant issue in federal elections. But while the majority of alcoholic beverage regulation resides at the state and local level these days, the federal government can still play a significant role in the price, availability, and societal acceptance of our favorite tipple. This year's presidential race may in fact be the most significant federal election for alcohol since Prohibition's aftermath.
The alcohol industry suffered heavily under Donald Trump's tariffs during his first term, with aluminum tariffs driving up the cost of beer cans—and, in turn, the cost of beer—as well as a broiling trade war with Europe causing hardship for whiskey distilleries. Europe responded with retaliatory tariffs on bourbon and other American whiskeys; America then responded in kind with tariffs on Scottish and Irish whiskey and other European liqueurs. Given that the European market has become increasingly important for United States whiskey companies, the tariffs ended up hurting America's whiskey industry far more than they helped it.
