The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) announced it has been awarded $1,032,601 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP) to promote American spirits in international markets through its 2025 Export Promotion Plan. DISCUS’ MAP initiatives aim to enhance export opportunities for U.S. distillers and promote American spirits, with an emphasis on American whiskeys, in key international markets. Under the USDA-funded program, products distilled in the United States from at least 51% of U.S. agricultural material are eligible to participate. “Ongoing trade disputes and retaliatory tariffs are creating significant challenges for U.S. spirits exporters,” said DISCUS Manager of Export Promotion Joel Matticks. “DISCUS has planned an array of export promotions for this year, designed to provide American distillers with valuable resources to navigate these uncertain times and to expand their presence in global markets.”