Belgian-Macedonian Business Club

The US market is important for Belgium brewers. Exporters rush to ship before the higher tariffs become effective.

In Belgium, whose beer culture is on UNESCO’s world heritage list, around 400 breweries sell 70 percent of their production for export.

Belgian brewing traditions, known for their diversity and quality, have significantly influenced the craft beer movement in the U.S. Many Belgian beer styles, such as dubbels, tripels, saisons, and lambics, are highly regarded and often replicated by American craft breweries.

In addition to the reciprocal tariffs, either the general 10 % or the delayed EU rate of 20 %, it is the addition of Beer to Annex 1 on aluminium derivative products facing a 25 % tariff that is particularly concerning. The current tariff is 5 %. 20 % of the beer is exported in cans for weight reasons, and the clarification is outstanding that the tariff is only on the value of the can and not of the beer itself.

One business that would feel the pain of higher US levies is Belgium’s Huyghe Brewery, since the United States makes up nearly 20 percent of its sales. The company, which produces around 30 beers including the well-known Delirium Tremens brand. The plan is to have up to six months of reserves in the United States, compared to the current three. The company is focusing on Delirium’s various ranges, as well as other more fruity varieties that are equally popular with US consumers.

The assumption is that the levy, if imposed, will not last beyond six months.

The US breweries together with the wine & liquor business are important donors to US political parties, as reported by OpenSecrets.org. The Coors family, descendants from the founder of the Coors brewery, are cited as strong supporters of the current president and the conservative project 2025.

Belgium exported beer for 1,9 billion. US$ in 2023, 47,7 (2,4 %) mio went to the US. Nearly double that amount went to China, but Europe is over 80 % of the export market. The US market was already shrinking in 2023.

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