Wine Institute issued the accompanying statement, respecting the U.S. — Japan Trade Agreement signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New York on Sept. 25, 2019:
“Japan is an indispensably important market for California wineries, notwithstanding, the United States has been the main real wine-producing country paying a 15% import tariff. We are pleased with this agreement which, when implemented, will reduce tariffs on agricultural products, including wine,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. “The new trade agreement will make everything fair for California wine in Japan and make more opportunities for Japanese consumers to appreciate the quality and diversity of Golden State wine. We anticipate the two governments gaining ground towards the implementation of this agreement as soon as possible.”
While the final tariff schedule and the information on non-tariff provisions are yet to be released, it is understood that the tariff for U.S. bulk wine will be wiped out upon implementation and the tariff on packaged wine will be phased out by 2025.
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy backing group of almost 1,000 California wineries and subsidiary businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and worldwide public policy that enhances the environment to responsibly produce, promote and enjoy wine.
For more information, www.wineinstitute.org.
