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Peanut Butter tariff

I know many of you sarch for peanut butter while in Europe. You need to know that the EU has slapped a 25% tariff on U.S. made brands. It started on Friday.

Posted by
8934 posts

We just stocked up and bought 3 jars of the peanut butter sold in Penny Markt, which I think is a US brand called Mike Mitchells. If it gets too expensive, will just have to go cold turkey.
:-(

Posted by
3777 posts

Didn't know peanut butter was such a coveted commodity in Europe.

Posted by
1286 posts

"Didn't know peanut butter was such a coveted commodity in Europe."

It isn't, that's why it is a good choice for a tariff. It's made in Europe and even Skippy has a factory in China, so there isn't going to be any shortage. But the product made in US factories will be more expensive and, it's assumed, EU suppliers will reduce purchases from there and switch. So an insignificant change as far as the few European shoppers who buy it are concerned, but intended to be symbolic for the US factories who will lose some small sales and, the theory goes, complain to the US government about its tariffs. As I say, symbolic more than significant, like the tariff on bourbon.

Posted by
9460 posts

And to Americans who live in Europe (who are the most likely to buy p.b. anyway!)

Posted by
8934 posts

Well, it seems to disappear from the shelves in my local store pretty quickly. Lots of Eastern European men living here, working construction, so maybe they figured out it was a good, tasty source of protein. Lots of bulk peanut butter sold to Asian fast food places to make Sate.

Posted by
973 posts

Didn't know peanut butter was such a coveted commodity in Europe.

It is not. Goods are being target for tariffs depending on where it comes from: a red state, a republican party contributor, owners who support Trump etc...

Posted by
2916 posts

Yes, like bourbon (Kentucky). I know Georgia used to be a major grower of peanuts, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Posted by
5239 posts

It's more of a symbolic gesture rather than an economic one. The shelves in the UK are heaving under the weight of varying peanut better brands. I never buy the American stuff, it invariably contains sugar and tastes far too sweet, my favourite is the British brand, Whole Earth, nothing but peanuts and salt. I'm sure there's non sugared brands in the US but they don't make their way here.

I don't think there's going to be much to worry for peanut butter consumers in Europe.