The American spirit shines through as US trade negotiators have managed to block an EU tariff on bourbon–at least for now. The Europeans had proposed a 25% tariff on US Bourbon, distilled and aged in Kentucky. The tariff, proposed as part of a retaliation against US tariffs imposed on some European goods, were seen by some as an affront to a product seen by many as an integral part of American culture. The bourbon is made only in the US and is a key export item. In response, US trade negotiators managed to convince the Europeans to delay the imposition of the tariff. This gives the two sides more time to negotiate a solution to the dispute. The bourbon dispute is part of a larger trade conflict between the US and the EU. The US imposed tariffs on some European goods last year in response to subsidies the EU has granted to Airbus, a major aircraft manufacturer. In response, the EU proposed tariffs on some US goods, including bourbon. Bourbon is a key product for many states in the US, especially Kentucky, where most of the bourbon is produced. The spirits industry has a long and proud history in Kentucky and employs thousands of people in the state, making the proposed tariff a major threat. The US negotiators have managed to delay the imposition of the EU tariff while negotiations continue. While the ultimate outcome of the dispute is still uncertain, many hope that the American spirit will prove strong enough to keep the bourbon tariff off the table for good.