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.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
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.
Tennessee
Trump pardons former Tennessee House speaker and his aide, who were convicted on federal corruption charges
President Donald Trump pardoned former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, who were convicted on federal corruption charges.
Casada, a Republican, was sentenced in September to 36 months in prison after being convicted on 17 charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Cothren, the aide, received a shorter sentence.
Casada confirmed the pardon on Thursday in a statement to NBC affiliate WSMV in Nashville, saying: “Yes the president called me today and granted me a full pardon. I am grateful of his trust and his full confidence in my innocence through this whole ordeal.”
In a statement, a White House official confirmed Trump’s decision to pardon Casada and Cothren and blamed the Biden administration for over-prosecuting the two men.
“The Biden Department of Justice significantly over-prosecuted these individuals for a minor issue involving constituent mailers — which were billed at competitive prices, never received a complaint from legislators, and resulted in a net profit loss of less than $5,000. The Biden DOJ responded with an armed raid, perp walk, and suggested sentences exceeding 10 years — penalties normally reserved for multimillion-dollar fraudsters,” the official told NBC News.
The investigation of both men began during Trump’s first term — and the raids of their homes — were conducted in January 2021, while Trump was still in office. The judge who oversaw the case and handed down Casada and Cothren’s sentences was appointed by Trump in his first term.
The charges against Casada and Cothren centered on a consulting firm they founded with another lawmaker, called Phoenix Solutions. Prosecutors alleged that the former House speaker and his aide used the company to illegally funnel money to themselves for campaign and taxpayer-funded work, including by organizing a $52,000 mailer program for Tennessee lawmakers.
Prosecutors said they used a false name — Matthew Phoenix — to run the company.
Several years before Casada was charged, he served as House speaker in Tennessee, but resigned in 2019 after a no-confidence vote by his fellow lawmakers. The vote came in the wake of another scandal involving Casada and Cothren, where the two were accused of exchanging sexually explicit text messages about women. Casada apologized for the texts and said that they were “not the person I am.”
The president this term has also pardoned several other former politicians, including former Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former Tennessee GOP state Sen. Brian Kelsey and former GOP Las Vegas City Councilmember Michele Fiore. He also commuted former GOP Rep. George Santos’ prison sentence.
The Tennessee Volunteers are in the middle of a bye-week, after last weekend’s loss to Oklahoma.
The playoffs are out of the picture, but there is still plenty of work left to do. The Vols will use this week to work on getting some guys healthy as they prepare for New Mexico State on November 15.
It will be interesting to see if there are any changes for the New Mexico State in terms of players. Will the Vols decide to go a bit younger and work in some younger guys as a way to jumpstart some guys who may battle for playing time and/or a starting position next season.
Josh Heupel met with reporters earlier today to discuss a few things as the team prepares to move forward.
Josh Heupel’s Opening Statement
“How’s everybody doing? Uh, good work today. Um, got another day tomorrow and then some of the coaches will hit the ground recruiting this week. Big focuses again on us during the bye and how we get better. So, open it up,” Heupel said.
Balancing Act
“Yeah, I think wherever your feet are and what’s important at that moment is what you got to be doing. So, uh the development of our current players, our preparation of the opponent that we’re playing, you know, for me, at times the projection of the following year in all departments you’re looking at. So, it’s a combination of all those things. December has changed a little bit on the calendar as well. That gives you a little bit more time potentially in December as well,” Heupel said.
Rotating Young Guys
“Guys that prove that they’re ready to play and play at a really high level, championship level. They earn the right to play and compete and that’s ongoing throughout the course of this season. These guys have worked really hard, disappointed in the results Saturday and a couple other during the course of the year, for sure. But man, it’s constant and consistent growth from everybody,” Heupel explained.
Click HERE to watch and listen to everything Tennessee Football head coach Josh Heupel said during his Wednesday media availability during the bye-week.
Follow Our Social Media Pages and YouTube
• Follow us on X HERE
• Follow us on Facebook HERE
• Follow us on Instagram HERE
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE
Follow Our Staff:
Black Musical Theater, 200 Years and Running
‘Overwhelmed’ family man Sergei Fedorov relishing celebrating Detroit Red Wings history
Mayor Lurie unveils affordable housing in Bayview-Hunters Point
Grizzlies get first taste of Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg
Veterans Day 2025 events in South Florida: When and where ceremonies are happening in Miami and Broward
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: The Decline of America’s Largest Environmental Organization
Hegseth warns traffickers after deadly drug boat strike: ‘We will kill you’
ICC confirms war crimes charges against Uganda’s rebel leader Joseph Kony
2 Joint Base Andrews buildings evacuated after suspicious package opened, base says
Battle for the House: GOP gets boost in bid to flip swing district after Democrat bows out
-
Milwaukee, WI1 week agoLongtime anchor Shannon Sims is leaving Milwaukee’s WTMJ-TV (Channel 4)
-
Culture1 week agoVideo: Dissecting Three Stephen King Adaptations
-
Austin, TX2 days agoHalf-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
-
Seattle, WA1 week agoFOX 13’s Aaron Levine wins back-to-back Jeopardy! episodes
-
Seattle, WA6 days agoESPN scoop adds another intriguing name to Seahawks chatter before NFL trade deadline
-
Education1 week agoOpinion | New York City Mayoral Candidates: Who Would Be Best?
-
San Diego, CA1 week agoAdd Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla to list of Padres’ managerial finalists
-
Business1 week agoCommentary: Meme stocks are still with us, offering new temptations for novice and unwary investors