Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all whiskies.
Description: This bill revises chapter 22 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United State to provide uniform rates of duty for all whiskies.
Sponsors: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Target Audience
Population: People who consume, produce, or trade whiskey internationally
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The bill affects the Harmonized Tariff Schedule related to whiskey imports and exports.
- Whiskey consumers would potentially be impacted by changes in pricing resulting from the revised tariff schedule.
- Whiskey producers and distributors who engage in international trade will be affected due to changes in the cost structure from tariffs.
- Whiskey manufacturers in countries exporting to the U.S. would be impacted by the tariff adjustments.
- The hospitality industry, particularly bars and restaurants, will be affected as they rely on whiskey as a part of their offerings.
Reasoning
- The policy affects whiskey tariffs, impacting producers, suppliers, and consumers.
- The target population includes whiskey consumers, producers, distributors, and establishments that sell whiskey.
- Given the policy's scope, it likely affects imported whiskey more than domestic, thus impacting international trade participants.
- The financial constraint may limit promotional or administrative actions resulting from the policy change.
Simulated Interviews
Whiskey Distillery Worker (Louisville, KY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could standardize pricing, which helps us stay competitive internationally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Bar Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the prices stabilize, I might be able to offer better deals to my customers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Whiskey Importer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need to see how the uniform rates are set. It could either help us or hurt us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Whiskey Enthusiast (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as it doesn't make my whiskies more expensive, I'm okay with it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marketing Director at Spirits Company (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will affect our marketing strategies depending on pricing outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Restaurant Owner (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable costs might make it easier for me to plan long-term menus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Whiskey Blogger (Nashville, TN)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might generate more stories if it reshapes the whiskey market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Distributor (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It depends on how the policy affects foreign brands we distribute.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Whiskey Producer (Boston, MA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lowering tariffs might improve our competitiveness abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tourism Operator (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If tariffs make certain whiskies more affordable, my tours could offer more variety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 10: $250000 (Low: $100000, High: $400000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- Alignment of domestic and international tax and tariff policies regarding alcoholic beverages.
- Potential trade implications with major whiskey-exporting countries and adherence to international trade agreements.
- Impacts on consumer pricing and demand for whiskey products in the U.S.