Tennessee
Tennessee whiskey distillers warn of an economic domino effect as Trump’s tariff war continues
American distillers are warning consumers of an economic domino effect as other countries begin to place retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. beverage industry.
Tennessee whiskey distillers warned of long-term impacts to the American spirits and hospitality industries during President Trump’s imposed tariff war with U.S. allies.
David Suk, an American craft distiller and Saint Luna Co-Founder and CEO, said tariffs could drive up consumer prices. Less consumer spending, Suk said, means less revenue for domestic distillers who aren’t in big-box liquor stores.
“I think if the average consumer has to pick between going out to their favorite restaurants, trying a really great cocktail that Saint Luna makes or paying their rent, they’re going to pay their rent,” Suk said.
Offshore production is unavoidable for Phil Prichard, Prichard’s Distillery President and Master Distiller. Prichard said he sources his bottle from China.
TESLA WARNS IT EXPOSED THE RETALIATORY TARIFFS AMID TRADE WAR
Some craft distillers stocked up on glass bottles from China ahead of Trump’s tariffs. (Fox News / Fox News)
Prichard stocked up on 36,000 custom glass bottles when he “saw the writing on the wall” ahead of Trump’s tariffs. He said the bottles should last him about a year of production.
“We’re pretty well destined to stay with China because China is able to provide us a custom-made bottle at a reasonable price,” Prichard said. “Technically, we beat the tariff,” Prichard said.
American whiskey quickly became the target of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. Some Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, further protested Trump’s tariffs by pulling American spirits off the shelves in early March.
Phil Prichard, President and Master Distiller of Prichard’s Distillery in Kelso, TN., watches the first stages of his rum-making process as tariffs raise hurdles for craft distillers like himself. (Fox News / Fox News)
The government-owned liquor stores in Canada tossed American brands, including Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Fawn Weaver, the CEO, believes the retaliation is worse for Canadians than Americans.
“In order to have our product on their shelves, they’ve paid us for it already. Now that they’ve pulled it off the shelves, they’re not going to get the revenue from it,” Weaver said.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whikey was among the American labels taken off the shelves of Canadian liquor stores in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. (Fox News / Fox News)
Weaver said Crown Royal, a Canadian whiskey, is the top-selling whiskey in the U.S. She encouraged Americans to buy American labels for the time being.
TRUMP’S 25% TARIFFS ON ALL STEEL, ALUMINUM IMPORTS TAKES EFFECT, PROMPTING RETALIATION FOR EUROPE
Historically, the U.S. has enjoyed zero for zero tariffs on distilled spirits with countries like Mexico, Canada and the European Union.
Since 2021, the EU’s 25% tariff on American Whiskey has been paused during the Union’s steel and aluminum dispute with the U.S., according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
Transatlantic trade in spirits increased by nearly 450% during this time.
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The EU reimposed the tariffs on American Whiskey at 50% on April 1.
“Our industry is going to lean in and do our best to encourage all governments involved to really leave this industry be. We don’t deserve or need to be collateral damage,” Chris Songer, DISCUS CEO, said. “Toasts, not tariffs.”
Distillers said Crown Royal, a Canadian whiskey, is the top-selling whiskey in the U.S. They hoped that Americans buying American labels would keep domestic craft distillers in business.
Tracking the opt outs for both Tennessee and Illinois before the Music City Bowl on December 30 (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville:
Tennessee
Linebacker Arion Carter: Carter over the last seasons had 96 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 31 career games. He had a team-high 76 tackles this season, with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while appearing in 10 games. He missed two games and was limited against Oklahoma in November while dealing with turf toe injuries. Carter had 68 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 13 games last season and 17 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in eight games as a freshman in 2023.
Wide Receiver Chris Brazzell II: He a breakout senior season in his second year with the Vols, catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 19 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, after transferring from Tulane. In 15 games at Tulane he caught 45 passes for 722 yards and five touchdowns. Brazzell is ranked No. 7 at wide receiver on Mel Kiper Jr.’s NFL Draft Big Board. He’s ranked No. 34 overall on ESPN’s list of the best available prospects in the draft.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy: Did not play this season after tearing his ACL during offseason training in January. He was a star last season with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee.
Illinois
Offensive Tackle J.C. Davis: Bret Bielema said the Illinois starting left tackle is opting out of the Music City Bowl. He was an All-Big Ten First Team pick by the league coaches this season and the No. 3 left tackle this season according to Pro Football Focus grades. He had made 49 straight starts before opting out of the bowl game.
EDGE Gabe Jacas: The Illinois outside linebacker declared for the NFL Draft on Friday night. He led the Big Ten this season with 11.0 sacks. He had 13.5 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles in 12 games this season. He finishes second in Illinois program history for career sacks, with 27.0, trailing only Simeon Rice. Jacas had 74 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss last season, after combining for 8.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss in his first two seasons at Illinois.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee employers laid off more than 8,500 workers in 2025 compared to 7,320 last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
This is about a 19% increase in layoffs, with WARN notices impacting 8,691 Tennesseans to date. As of 2023, 5,168 Tennessee workers were laid off through WARN notices.
Counties in Middle Tennessee impacted include:
- Davidson
- Sumner
- Maury
- Rutherford
- Williamson
- Wilson
- Coffee
- DeKalb
- Bedford
- Lawrence
- Putnam
The largest layoff this year was in Maury County. Come January, 710 employees will be laid off from GM Ultium Cells’ Spring Hill facility. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Michael Kofoed tells FOX 17 News that the facility is is likely impacted by the rise on steel tariffs ruled out by the Trump administration. He adds steel tariffs raise input costs for employers which directly impacts employees’ salary or employment.
The second largest layoff impacted 658 workers at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC in Rutherford County with 615 workers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center permanently laid off. WARN notices are reports a company is required to file with the state to give workers time to find future employment.
Kofoed states that Tennessee is seeing a troubling trend, with layoffs skyrocketing since 2023.
“That is a very big and concerning number,” Kofoed said.
According to CNBC, more than 1.1 million U.S. employees were laid off this year, the highest 11-month total since 2020.
Tennessee
Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.
ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”
In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.
The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.
ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.
This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.
Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
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