From The Brewers Association:
President Trump announced that he would be imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the country as early as February 10, and shared that he was planning on introducing reciprocal tariffs on foreign countries that currently impose tariffs on goods from the U.S.
The administration has already used the threat of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, as recently as last week proposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico that were put on pause for 30 days after both countries agreed to increase their presence at the U.S. border to help stem the flow of immigrants and fentanyl.
This act mirrors one made under the first Trump administration which in 2018 introduced the section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel under the authority of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which is used to determine the effect of imports on national security. Trading partners like Canada, the European Union, and South Korea received exemptions from those tariffs. Both the tariffs and the exemptions remained in place throughout the Biden administration and are still in effect today. The President has stated that those counties will not be exempt from these newly announced tariffs.
How Does This Impact Small and Independent Brewers?
- The U.S. imports more aluminum from Canada than from any other country. Even with Canada excluded from the 232 tariffs in 2018, there were across the board price increases* on raw aluminum, impacting the price of aluminum cans. Including Canada in tariffs on aluminum will undoubtedly increase prices on aluminum products.
- Both producers and consumers of craft beer have been steadily choosing cans as a packaging method. In 2023 the use of aluminum cans as a packaging method grew almost 4% by volume compared to the year prior, reaching 68.4 share by volume for the year. In early 2025 sales data, aluminum cans accounted for approximately 75% of packaged craft beer’s volume and revenue.
- Like aluminum, Canada is the largest supplier of steel to the U.S., followed closely by Mexico. The two nations account for close to 40% of steel imported into the country. 25% tariffs could have a broad impact on aluminum prices across the world, and a direct impact on U.S. manufacturing companies that make a variety of steel products, including kegs, steel tanks, brewhouses, and building materials.
- Even without retaliatory tariffs, small and independent breweries that export beer to Canada have already seen the impacts of tariffs, with some provinces canceling shipments of U.S. alcohol beverage products or encouraging consumers to buy Canadian-made products. Canada imports 37.5% of American craft beer exports, making it our industry’s largest export market. If Canada, Mexico, and other trade partners decide to retaliate, breweries could see tariffs on their exported beer.
The status of tariffs can change quickly. As the association that represents small and independent American craft beer producers, the Brewers Association understands the importance and value of buying American and supporting local. We continue to advocate on the industry’s behalf and to educate Congress and the administration about the potential impact on America’s craft brewers. We look forward to working with the administration on taxes and other issues that could benefit the businesses that make their products in the U.S. The Brewers Association will make sure that our members are kept up to date on tariffs and other actions by the administration and legislature that can impact our industry.
*In the 118th Congress, the Brewers Association supported the False Claims Enhancement Act, which would penalize actors who charged misleading fees to collect money they claim is owed to the federal government, ensuring that tariff fees could not be imposed on non-tariffed products.
Link to author biographyWritten By Katie Marisic , Senior Director of Federal Affairs
Katie Marisic is the senior director of federal affairs at the Brewers Association. Based in Washington, D.C. she plans and executes legislative, regulatory, and political strategies to drive the association's federal affairs presence on Capitol Hill. Prior to working for the BA, Katie was vice president of political affairs at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. She got her start in politics working on congressional campaigns during the 2006 and 2008 elections. A Pennsylvania native, Katie is a long time craft brewing supporter. In 2013 she helped to open Atlas Brew Works in Washington, D.C. When she is not advocating for the craft brewing community on Capitol Hill you can sometimes find her pouring beers at a local tasting room.
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