Navigating Tariff Challenges: Strategic Guidance for the Food & Beverage Industry

President Trump has recently announced plans to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, a move that is likely to impact a range of industries beyond the metal sector. Food and beverage packaging will be impacted by the steel and aluminum tariffs. As we saw in 2018, when similar tariff actions were implemented, retaliatory measures were swift. For instance, the European Union imposed a 25% tariff on American whiskey, and other countries retaliated with tariffs on key U.S. agricultural exports, including corn, orange juice, and soybeans. U.S. soybean exports, in particular, plummeted by 75% following China’s response.

In response to the United States’ imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, the Canadian government has implemented retaliatory measures targeting a range of U.S. imports, including various snack foods and beverages. Effective February 4, 2025, Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with plans to extend these tariffs to an additional $125 billion in imports after a 21-day public consultation period.  Some of the food and beverage categories affected by these Canadian tariffs include beverages (both alcoholic and NA), snacks, sugar and confectionery, peanut butter, cocoa and chocolate, dried fruits, nuts and several others.  Contact us for a complete list and HS codes.

At AMI, we specialize in helping businesses like yours navigate these complexities, identifying the most profitable markets and strategies to minimize risk. Our team of experts can provide you with the insights needed to adjust your approach, optimize your global operations, and ultimately safeguard your bottom line in the face of changing trade policies. Reach out to [email protected] for a free consultation today!