Sigh of reprieve as Trump delays major tariffs on neighbors

NORWOOD, Mass. — They come packaged in contoured cylinders of sparkling glass and other intriguing geometric forms. But the one thing common to most of the tequila sold at Yankee Spirits Norwood branch is its origin: Mexico.

“I would like to spend less on the things I enjoy and tequila for me is a big product,” said Morris Karraz, store manager. “I love it. I love the enjoyment of drinking tequila with friends.”

High-end tequila is expensive as is, Karraz said. But President Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexico could put it out of reach for many.

Fortunately, for tequila lovers, Monday brought a reprieve. Trump reached a deal with the Mexican government that will delay the proposed 25% tariffs for a month. In exchange, Mexico agreed to increase its military presence at the border.

Hours later, Trump reached a similar deal with Canada — which was prepared to match tariffs of 10 - 25% on Canadian goods with tariffs on American products.

As of late Monday afternoon, tariffs of 10% on Chinese goods remained in place.

If nothing else, the delay on the tariffs gives businesses such as Yankee Spirits more time to plan for a worst-case scenario.

“If you can kind of plan for it, in some ways you have to,” Karraz said. “If there’s any way you can stockpile your inventory.”

That is generally not a problem for larger operations like Yankee Spirits, which operates four stores in Massachusetts. Still, there’s only so much stockpiling a liquor store can do. Karraz said some high-end spirits may only be available in limited quantities in the first place.

“I understand the logic behind it all,” Karraz said. “I’m not a big fan of tariffs. Why would you be?”

Also not a fan of tariffs: Professor Emeritus Kent Jones of Babson College. Jones, who specializes in world trade, said there’s almost never a good economic reason to impose tariffs.

“I’m not alone in being rather mystified about what the end-game is,” Jones said. “The tariffs are paid by the people who import the good. Not the people who export the good.”

And more often than not, the cost of those tariffs are ultimately passed on to consumers, he said.

“Now the things that will go up in price relatively quickly would be perishable food items,” said Jones. Prices on non-perishables, he added, are more dependent on how fast current inventories shrink.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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