Ciscomani & Schweikert's Votes to Support Tariffs Will Raise Prices for Consumers, Hurt Arizona's Popular Wine Industry

TUCSON — President Trump's tariffs are raising prices for consumers and could hurt Arizona's burgeoning wine industry after Congressmen David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani voted multiple times to support cost-raising tariffs.

According to the Arizona Republic:

"You might think a proposed 30% tariff on European wines would sit well with people like Bob Dixon, but the award-winning vineyard owner in southeast Arizona isn't brimming with enthusiasm.

Rather than salivating at the prospect for reduced foreign competition, he cites rising costs for bottles, barrels and winemaking equipment from new tariffs. He worries that corks, which are grown in countries including Portugal and Spain, could become more expensive.

Nor does he see much potential for international market expansion for domestic growers if the Trump Administration makes good on a threat to impose taxes on wines and various other exports from the European Union starting Aug. 1.

‘Any tariff could have an impact on our bottom line,' said Dixon, co-owner with his wife Jules of 1764 Vineyards, located in the higher-elevation hill country southeast of Tucson.' Wineries here are not running on large margins.'

Others involved in the domestic wine industry say the tariff hike could destabilize the long-entrenched wine import, distribution and retailing system that has endured since the early days of the Depression, while not providing much export potential for American wineries.

In addition, consumers likely will face higher prices, they warn.”

“From winegrowers in Sonoita to grocery shoppers in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizonans know that tariffs are bad for business and needlessly raise prices on customers,” said Andrea Moreno, Executive Director of Honest Arizona. “Schweikert and Ciscomani voted to support these tariffs, and now Arizonans and small businesses are paying the price.”