U.S. whiskey producers are having a hard time thanks to a trade war born out of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China and Europe. Things are looking pretty dandy for whiskey drinkers in Europe, though. The European Union and Japan just signed a trade deal that eliminates tariffs on nearly all trade, and that includes Japanese whisky.
Demand for Japanese whisky is at a high point. That’s led to a shortage and increased prices, and Suntory, the maker of brands like Yamazaki and Hibiki, has even discontinued some popular bottles. In short, there’s not much to go around. Prices are going to decrease in Europe thanks to the new deal, as is the price of around 99 percent of Japanese goods that won’t have a tariff as soon as the deal is officially ratified.