Belgian brewers rush beer shipments to US before tariffs

Belgian brewers are rushing to ship their products to the United States before potential tariffs take effect. President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose 200-percent tariffs on European Union alcoholic beverages. This move could seriously impact the European drinks industry. Huyghe Brewery in Belgium, which sells about 20 percent of its beer in the US, is particularly worried. CEO Alain De Laet stated that such high tariffs would cause prices to triple in the US market, making their beers unsellable. The brewery is known for its Delirium Tremens brand, a strong blonde beer that already has a high price. After Trump’s warning, the brewery shifted into emergency mode. They are now working overtime to pack and ship beer to the US. De Laet plans to send six months’ worth of stock instead of the usual three months, hoping the tariffs do not last long. They have already started filling containers to ship to Baltimore. Huyghe Brewery is focusing on shipping its popular beers quickly, taking advantage of having a US subsidiary to avoid delays. Belgium has around 400 breweries that depend heavily on exports. The threat of tariffs, following previous tensions over steel and aluminum imports, hangs over the industry. The brewery is also increasing shipments of a new alcohol-free version, anticipating that it might face tariffs as well. De Laet expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, “You never know with Trump.”