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Local importers, sellers worry about looming wine tarrifs

Local wine sellers and importers are trying to stock up as the threat of a 100% tariff on imported wine looms.

The proposed 100% tariff on wine from the European Union could go into effect as soon as Feb. 9th.

A bottle of wine that costs about $15 would cost about twice as much. Wine sellers aren’t convinced customers would pay $30 for the same bottle.

Dan McCarthy owns McCarthy and Schiering Wine Merchants on Queen Anne. He’s been in business for 39 years and seen a lot of changes.

He’s not convinced he can survive this one. “This is the only thing that’s ever really scared me,” said McCarthy. "We had many recessions, the internet change, the privatization of liquor and this is the first time I’m really nervous about not being able to survive as a small business. "

Seventy percent of the wine he sells is imported from France and Italy. He says the plan to impose a 100% tariff on European wine will put him out of business within six months.

“We’re being a pawn,” said McCarthy.

The trigger for these tariffs is the ongoing fight between Boeing and Airbus. The U.S. government argues European subsidies undercut American workers.

The tariffs apply to other European Union products, too -- like Parmesan cheese from Italy, yogurt and olives from Spain, perfume and handbags.

Local business owners say this move to punish big business abroad will hurt small businesses here.

Guy Harris owns Cru Selections, a wine importer and distributor in Woodinville.

“I’ve been working my tail off to build this, and just on a whim, somebody in D.C. is making a decision that could wipe me out, and I have no control,” said Harris.

He showed KIRO-7 the wine he had shipped from Europe to New Jersey. It went through customs there and was then trucked to Woodinville. He knew the tariff could go into effect anytime and didn’t want to wait for the shipment to arrive at the Port of Seattle and go through customs, which would take longer.

He believes the tariffs will cost hundreds of local jobs. “I’m scared, I’m angry, I’m worried about all my employees. I have 30 employees. I don’t know what the future looks like in a month from now,” said Harris.

He expects it to put many local distributors out of business, which will cut down the distribution chain for local wineries, as well.

Harris going to a rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to fight against the tariff. It is possible it could go into effect as soon as Feb. 9.