Beer, aluminum can imports subject to 25% tariffs – Latest Food News Update

Just hours before President Trump’s Wednesday afternoon announcement of sweeping baseline tariffs, the U.S. Department of Commerce posted a document detailing separate 25% duties on beer and aluminum cans that are set to take effect just after midnight Friday.

The notice updates the list of items included in aluminum tariffs that Trump announced in February to take effect March 12. The new document updates the list with “two additional aluminum derivative products: beer and empty aluminum cans.” The newly announced duties cover these imports from any country. 

The tariff codes only indicate the 25% rate applies to beer and empty aluminum cans. A Brewers Association analysis suggests that the tariffs will apply to all imported beer, not just canned beer.

Trump announced on Wednesday afternoon a universal baseline tariff of 10% on nearly all imported goods from all countries, effective Saturday. In addition, certain trading partners such as China, Japan and the European Union are subject to higher rates that are set for April 9.

That directive includes numerous exemptions, including for goods such as copper and lumber. Similarly, tariffs that the administration previously announced will stay as-is, including those on steel and aluminum and on cars and automotive parts.

The beer and can addendum stands to affect packaging suppliers as well as a beer industry that already has been experiencing sales dips, largely in response to consumer tastes shifting toward hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails and alcohol-free beverages. Plus, a Bud Light controversy in 2023 over a transgender spokesperson hit parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev’s sales and carried over to lower volumes for packaging suppliers including Ardagh and Ball.

That controversy dethroned Bud Light in 2023 from the spot of America’s top selling beer, and Constellation Brands’ Modelo rose to No. 1. But industry analysts anticipate the new beer and can tariffs will strike a hard blow to Constellation, who imports all of its beer from Mexico.

The consumer packaged goods industry already manufactures the majority of its products in the United States, said Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain resiliency at the Consumer Brands Association, via email Thursday morning. However, certain “critical ingredients and inputs” need to be imported “due to scarce availability domestically” he said, adding that “no amount of tariffs will bring these inputs back to the U.S.”

Several sector-specific industry associations did not provide new comments since the can tariff announcement yesterday afternoon. However, last month Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway issued a statement in response to the Trump administration’s aluminum and steel tariffs.

“While we support President Donald Trump’s efforts to address unfair trade practices, tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase prices for canned foods and beverages. Consumers will feel the inflationary impact of these tariffs at the grocery store,” Budway said in the March 12 statement. “We are calling on President Trump to provide targeted tariff relief, ensuring steel and aluminum cans and the products packaged in those cans continue to be ‘Made in America.’”

Aluminum Association CEO Charles Johnson also issued a statement last month, noting the U.S. aluminum industry has invested more than $10 billion since 2016. “This has been driven by growing demand, a competitive tax environment and strong, targeted trade enforcement the president supported in his first term,” he said. 

When the aluminum tariffs first were announced in February, the Aluminum Association called on Trump to secure necessary aluminum access while still taking actions against “unfairly traded aluminum” from China and elsewhere. “This is consistent with action his administration wisely took during his first term and we are confident he will take again,” Johnson said.

Sarah Zimmerman contributed to this story.