The Trump administration has announced a new 25% tariff on all imported canned beer and empty aluminum cans, effective this Friday, as stated in a notice from the Department of Commerce.
This move to expand U.S. aluminum tariffs comes just ahead of an anticipated announcement by President Donald Trump regarding comprehensive new tariffs on imported goods, scheduled for a Rose Garden event at 4 p.m. ET.
Industry analysts indicate that Constellation Brands may feel the brunt of these tariffs, as the company imports all of its beer from Mexico, including popular brands such as Modelo and Corona. In its most recent quarter, beer sales constituted 82% of Constellation’s revenues. Notably, while Corona is often recognized for its glass bottles, Modelo—currently the top-selling beer in the U.S.—is predominantly available in cans.
Shares of Constellation were down slightly by less than 1% during afternoon trading on Wednesday, but the stock has faced mounting pressure due to tariffs, declining by 22% since Trump’s election in November.
The recent notice regarding aluminum tariffs does not reference any duties on beer packaged in glass bottles. According to the Beer Institute, aluminum cans represented 64.1% of beer distribution in 2023, outpacing the 26.9% share occupied by glass bottles.
Canned beer has steadily increased its market presence over the years, primarily because breweries find it simpler and more cost-effective to produce and transport cans compared to heavier glass bottles, ultimately benefiting consumers with lower prices for canned products.
The United States sources a majority of its aluminum from Canada, while China and Mexico—two countries frequently at the center of Trump’s trade disputes—also remain significant aluminum exporters to the U.S.
