A renewed threat of tariffs means potentially more price hikes for American consumers. And not even alcohol prices are necessarily safe.
In recent letters to the leaders of Mexico and the European Union, President Donald Trump warned that a new 30% tariff on imports from both regions would take effect Aug. 1.
Unfortunately, certain types of beer, wine and spirits come exclusively from Mexico or the E.U., so they stand to face higher prices come August. Here’s a look at some of these imported alcoholic beverages and their origins.
Tequila and mezcal
Tequila, a distilled spirit, is closely associated with Mexico in the popular imagination, and there is a good reason for that.
Under Mexican law, true tequila must be produced from blue agave (Agave tequilana) plants grown in a particular region of Mexico that encompasses five states (Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas).
Even the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement, recognizes tequila and mezcal, another Mexican distilled spirit made from agave, as “distinctive products” made exclusively in Mexico.
Most imported beer
In recent years, Modelo Especial became the most popular beer consumed in the United States, toppling former champ Bud Light.
Modelo and another popular Mexican beer brand — Corona — are owned by the same parent company, Grupo Modelo, which makes its products in Mexico.
Brands aside, the U.S. imports more beer from Mexico than any other nation — by far — according to data from the trade group Beer Institute.
And much of the rest of the imported beer available in the U.S. is from the European Union. The top 10 countries from which the U.S. imports the most beer by volume as of 2025 include the Netherlands (No. 2), Ireland (No. 3), Germany (No. 4), Belgium (No. 6) and Italy (No. 7).
Prosecco
Prosecco is a type of sparkling wine. Authentic prosecco is made only in Italy — a member of the European Union — primarily with a specific type of grape called Glera. It’s designated as DOC “Denominazione di Origine Controllata)” or DOCG (“Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita”).
Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy only produced near the commune of Cognac in France, which is also a member of the E.U.
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac — a group of winegrowers and merchants that represents the Cognac industry — officially designates three types of Cognac:
- VS (Very Special), a blend of cognacs with the youngest eau-de-vie at least 2 years old
- VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), with the youngest eau-de-vie at least 4 years old
- XO (Extra Old), which must be aged for at least 10 years
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a famous variety of red wine grown in the region of France with that name. It primarily contains a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
The region’s climate and soil are considered ideal for producing the ultimate glass of wine, which has given Bordeaux its legendary reputation.
Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine that also bears the name of the region in France where it is produced.
To earn the name of Champagne, it must be made in this area a couple of hours’ travel northeast of Paris. Three types of grapes — pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay — primarily are used in Champagne.
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