Trump’s Tariffs To Tank Tequila
By next summer, your favorite margarita could cost a few bucks more—and might taste different too.
That’s because President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on imports from Mexico will increase prices and could reduce the availability of some tequilas and mezcals, says Gabe Sanchez, owner of the Black Swan Saloon, a legendary cocktail bar in Dallas.
“It’s going to be a very difficult conversation for us to have with people when they come in,” Sanchez told Reason in an interview last week. While his customers might be used to $15 cocktails, Sanchez says tariffs could potentially push menu prices “much higher.” (Sanchez’ favorite drink right now is called “True Romance,” and he was gracious enough to share the recipe, which you can find at the end of this article.)
Trump has threatened to slap new 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, and he said on Inauguration Day that those tariffs could hit as soon as February 1. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that those tariffs could be announced before the end of the week. The Journal framed that coming move “the first salvos in a multifront trade war.”
All wars have casualties, and tequila figures to be among them. All authentic tequila comes from Mexico, and even though there are some small craft makers of agave-based liquors in the United States, imports are and will remain essential to meet Americans’ demand for the drink.
“It’s like French wines. They only come from France. You know, scotch whiskey only comes from Scotland. You can’t substitute [tequila] for something else,” says Sanchez.
(Mezcal is a broader category that includes
Article from Reason.com
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