Teamsters Union Advocates for Tariffs on Mexican Beer to Support U.S. Brewing Jobs

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is urging President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Mexican beer, advocating for more beer to be brewed in the United States. The union claims that Mexico's brewing industry benefits from government-backed investments and lower labor costs, which have allowed it to capture a significant share of the U.S. market. The Teamsters argue that tariffs could help shift beer production back to the U.S., supporting local breweries and related industries. Sean O'Brien, the union's general president, stated that the production of brands like Modelo and Corona could be done in the U.S. with the same recipes. The union's filing notes that Mexican beer production has increased by 85% since 2014, with 80% of exports going to the U.S., while U.S. brewery capacity utilization has decreased from 82% in 2013 to 65% in 2023. The Teamsters support tariffs as high as 75% on Mexican beer imports to address what they see as an uneven competitive landscape. The U.S. Trade Representative is currently reviewing various trade policies as part of an ongoing investigation.