CEO of Jack Daniel's responds after whiskey pulled from Canada's shelves

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States applauded President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs one day after some Canadian provinces started pulling U.S. liquor, including Jack Daniel’s, from shelves.

Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman, which makes Jack Daniel’s, called the move “frustrating” during an earnings call Wednesday.

“That’s worse than a tariff because it’s literally taking your sales away,” Whiting said.

Overall, Whiting said the company would be OK. Canada’s market makes up just one percent of the company’s sales. 

Before tariffs were suspended, Tennessee lawmakers said they had greater concern about the tariffs’ impact on Tennessee farmers. 

“I don’t think we have to worry about Jack Daniel’s being the product that’s going to go broke because of international tariffs,” Rep. William Lamberth, (R-Portland) said. “It seems to be pretty popular around the world.” 

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States applauded Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs Thursday.

“President Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada that comply with the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) is great news for the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. distilled spirits industries. Spirits produced in Canada, Mexico and the United States are all covered under USMCA. The USMCA has helped to ensure the continued growth of the U.S. spirits and hospitality industries, promote job growth and drive economic prosperity across the nation. We are hopeful that constructive dialogues continue between the U.S., Canada and Mexico that permanently brings back zero for zero tariffs for spirits trade between our three countries. We want Toasts Not Tariffs.

Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

He told News 2 that tariffs impact more than just consumers. 

“Our agriculture partners — it all starts from grain to glass — to the distillers, to bars and restaurants and bartenders,” Swonger added. “But of course, let’s not forget the consumers, the Canadian consumers, that love Tennessee whiskey.”