July 7th, 2025: China's anti-dumping tariffs and other news
China confirmed average duty of 32.2% with exception for "minimum price" agreements, Trump's OBBBA and family-owned wholesalers, Scotch Investments, Suntory Oceania, Morelos Mezcal, and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by
, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:Hello everyone!
I guess you already know what the big news is in today’s press review. I will try to give you a comprehensive selection of articles and documents, so it’s up to you to decide which ones you prefer to read.
China has confirmed anti-dumping tariffs on EU brandy (with some exceptions)
The conclusion of China’s anti-dumping investigation on EU-brandy arrived on Friday, when China’s Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) announced an average tariff of 32.2% on wine spirits and marc spirits from the European countries.
A partial relief should come from “minimum price” agreements that many companies have already signed with Mofcom, which would effectively replace the duty. According to the French industry newspaper Vitisphère, these agreements are expected to apply to 95% of exports from the Cognac region. However, while the agreement already applies to some of the biggest producers, like Martell (Pernod Ricard), Hennessy and Rémy Martin (Rémy Cointreau), many other producers are still excluded.
There is an article by Alexandre Abellan on Vitisphère (also accessible to non-subscribers):
95% des cognacs ne seront pas taxés à 32% en Chine, la filière sort un peu la tête du fût
And here is my article for the Italian newspaper VinoNews24:
Dazi cinesi: confermato il 32,2% per Grappa e Brandy europeo, salvo accordi su prezzo minimo
If you’d like an external (yet comprehensive) point of view, I suggest you to read this article by Rupert Hohwieler on The Spirits Business:
And here are the links to the direct sources reported in the article:
The Italian association Federvini (Federazione Italiana Industriali Produttori, Esportatori ed Importatori di Vini, Acquaviti, Liquori, Sciroppi, Aceti ed affini) also commented on the situation. Here is their press release:
Dazi cinesi definitivi su Grappa e Brandy: biasimo e preoccupazione di Federvini
I also found this Chinese article by Xiaofei Xu on the South China Morning Post. It is in English, making it easier for you to read, and I find it interesting to note the slight difference in the news’s tone:
Why France is toasting China’s new tariff on European brandy
As you can imagine, there is much more to read on the subject, but I consider this enough for you to build your own awareness.
If you haven’t had enough, there is another article by Alexandre Abellan on Vitisphère, criticising Brussels’ decisions:
Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill renews a 20% personal taxes deduction for family-owned spirits wholesalers
The news comes from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), who is praising Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) for securing the measure introduced during Trump’s previous mandate.
News by Nicola Carruthers on The Spirits Business:
Scotch companies’ investments to leave the UK
A survey by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has revealed that three-quarters of Scotch whisky companies are considering investing outside of the UK, due to the high taxation imposed by the UK government.
Article by Rupert Hohwieler on The Spirits Business:
Direct source here:
On my opinion, this is how you truly work with communication to put pressure on your politicians. Remember the news about the WHO last week? (July 4th press review here). Find the right, compelling evidence, and use it to show to consequences of some choices on society, economy and voters. I don’t like to sound materialistic, but - sadly - votes and money are sometimes the most effective way to get politicians’ attention.
Suntory Global Spirits launches Suntory Oceania
Suntory Global Spirits and Frucor Suntory’s AUD3bn (US$2bn) partnership is now officially operational, having opened its manufacturing and distribution hub in Ipswich, Queensland.
Article by Henry Mathieu on Global Drinks Intel:
Something to read
Virginia Distillery Co.’s CEO on American single malt
Just Drinks features an interview with Gareth Moore, CEO of Virginia Distillery Company, conducted by Sophie Diaz and Fiona Holland. Moore, whose company is 100% focused on single malt, shares his insights:
“Forty years ago, people would be very brand loyal, and whatever their grandfather drank is what they’re going to drink. But there’s a lot more exploration and discovery brands and younger consumers are into those types of things and understanding the story of where something came from and how it’s made and where it’s made. Also, that it doesn’t have to be from a couple hundred years ago to have great value, great quality”, says
You can read the entire interview it here:
Virginia Distillery Co. on why it is “bullish” on American single malt
A closer look to Morelos Mezcal
About one week ago we read the news about Morelos, entering the Mezcal designation of origin.
Here is a long article about the tradition in the area by Jazmin Aguilar on La Jornada Morelos:
Mezcal: Una historia de Morelos entre barrancas y alambiques
That’s all for today.
I suggest you to get ready for the coming days, because updates about the US tariffs are just around the corner (July 9th).
Quick remind here by Andrea Shalal and Nathan Howard on Reuters:
See you on Wednesday!