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Tennessee whiskey distillers warn of an economic domino effect as Trump’s tariff war continues

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Tennessee whiskey distillers warn of an economic domino effect as Trump’s tariff war continues


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.

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“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. 

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024

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More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024


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.

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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.



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Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

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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.

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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.



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Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

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Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator


Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

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“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

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