Coalition to Stop Restaurant Tariffs wants burden to restaurants removed
Award-winning chefs have joined to form a coalition to call for the end of tariffs on European food, wine and spirits through executive order by the Biden administration. The group, called Coalition to Stop Restaurant Tariffs, suggests that tariffs on goods from Europe, which were implemented by the Trump administration, and were initially meant to punish Europe for subsidizing aircraft manufacturers, has backfired and done more harm than good.
“These tariffs have been devastating in the midst of this pandemic,” said Mike Lata, owner of critically acclaimed Charleston restaurants FIG and The Ordinary. “Most restaurants are barely scraping by.”
According to the Coalition, the tariffs have had four times the impact in the US than in Europe. The group would like these tariffs eliminated on day one of the new administration.
The Coalition to Stop Restaurant Tariffs‘ leadership team comprises leading chefs and restaurant owners in the United States, including:
- Chris Bianco, chef-owner of the award-winning Pizzeria Bianco, as well as Pane Bianco and Tratto, in Phoenix, Arizona
- Daniel Boulud, James Beard award-winning chef-owner of three Michelin star-rated restaurant Daniel
- Nina Compton, James Beard Award-winning owner of Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro (BABs) in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Thomas Keller, owner of California’s globally acclaimed French Laundry restaurant and the only American-born chef to receive multiple three-star Michelin Guide ratings
- Cheetie Kumar, James Beard Award finalist and chef-owner of Garland in downtown Raleigh.
- Mike Lata, James Beard Award-winning chef-partner of FIG in Charleston, South Carolina, and former “Iron Chef America” contestant
- Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, which comprises New York’s Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Maialino, and the nationally beloved burger restaurant, Shake Shack
- Kwame Onwuachi, James Beard Award-winning chef and author of “Notes from a Young Black Chef”
- Alice Waters, James Beard Award-winning chef of Chez Panisse in northern California and awarded National Humanities Medal by President Obama
“The pandemic has forced restaurants to turn away patrons and lay off longstanding employees,” said Kwame Onwuachi, a James Beard Award-winning chef and former “Top Chef” contestant. “We can’t afford the additional burden of tariffs on imported products and hope to stay in business.”
Photo credit: Louis Hansel (featured preview image)
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