America's favorite beers — and the jobs tied to them — are at the center of a brewing trade fight
America's favorite beers — and the jobs tied to them — are at the center of a brewing trade fight
Economists argue 74% of Mexican beer's economic value already flows to American workers
By
Amanda Macias Fox News
Published
July 1, 2026 6:00am EDT close 
Video Tariffs would mean one of two things for beer drinkers—neither is good, economist says
A new economic analysis warns that tariffs on Mexican beer could either drive up prices for consumers or reduce investment that supports thousands of American jobs.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!As the Trump administration weighs implementing tariffs on Mexican beer, a new report argues the move would hurt the very American workers it is intended to protect by squeezing one of the U.S. beer market's most profitable segments.
The report, authored by Unleash Prosperity co-founder Stephen Moore and economist David Ozgo, comes as the Trump administration continues to expand its tariff agenda, which officials say is aimed at re-shoring manufacturing, reducing trade deficits and strengthening American industry.
"There probably are some products for which tariffs are appropriate — products where there might be national security implications," Ozgo told Fox News Digital. "But obviously, beer is not one of those products."
While Mexican beer is brewed south of the border, Ozgo said most of the jobs it supports, like distribution, wholesaling and retailing, are in the United States.
‘WE WERE RIGHT’: WINE IMPORTER TOOK TRUMP’S TARIFFS TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WON
The brewer of Modelo claimed the No. 1 spot in June 2023, when Modelo Especial surpassed Bud Light on dollar sales, and it continues to rank among the country's best-selling beers (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
The report backs that claim with data showing the U.S. beer business supports roughly 1.74 million jobs, but only about 5% are directly involved in brewing. Most workers are employed by wholesalers, retailers, restaurants and suppliers that handle beer after it is brewed, jobs that remain in the U.S. even when the beer is imported.
"If you end up slapping tariffs on Mexican beer, you're not protecting American workers," Ozgo said. "What you're really doing is cutting into the most profitable segment of the beer market right now and in turn putting U.S. jobs at risk."
According to the report, Mexican beer already sells for about 52% more than mass-market domestic lagers in grocery and liquor stores. The authors say those higher prices mean bigger profits for U.S. distributors, retailers, restaurants and bars, helping support more American jobs than cheaper domestic lagers.
Those higher prices create more value across the U.S. economy, the report notes.
FROM BOURBON TO BORDEAUX: TRUMP'S TARIFFS SPILL INTO GLOBAL BOOZE MARKETS
Economists say the beer industry could see job cuts as tariffs increase costs for brewers and importers. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
The authors estimate that every gallon of Mexican beer generates about $26.27 in economic value. About $19.42 of that — roughly 74% — goes to U.S. businesses and workers through distribution, retail, transportation, marketing, taxes and other domestic economic activity. By comparison, leading domestic beers generate about $15.76 in total value per gallon.
Ozgo said tariffs would ultimately force brewers to either absorb the added costs, reduce investment, or pass the costs on to consumers through higher prices.
"Either the company itself has to eat the cost of the tariff, or they pass the cost to the consumer," he said. "Either outcome isn't very good."
The report also argues that moving production of Mexican beer to the United States could undermine the brands' authenticity and value, pointing to Anheuser-Busch InBev's decision to move production of Beck's beer from Germany to Missouri, which led to consumer litigation after the company continued marketing the beer as German.
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Beck's has long been a staple of the imported beer market, with roots dating back to 1873 in Bremen, Germany. (John Sciulli/WireImage/Getty Images)
It also notes that Constellation Brands, which imports Corona, Modelo and Pacifico, operates under a Justice Department consent decree requiring those brands to be produced in Mexico.
"Consumers really, really value authenticity," Ozgo said. "When you move an import into the United States and you continue to market it as an import, you end up losing value."
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The Trump administration has argued more broadly that tariffs are intended to encourage domestic manufacturing and strengthen American industry, though officials have not specifically outlined a final policy regarding Mexican beer imports.
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Read the full report:
Amanda Macias covers the intersection of business, economics and politics, with a focus on how policy decisions shape markets, businesses and American workers.
Kid Steals Woman’s Hair Towel, Mommy Dearest Comes To His Rescue And Accuses Woman Of Harassing Him
Entitled People, SocietyPublished Jul 01, 2026 Kid Steals Woman’s Hair Towel, Mommy Dearest Comes To His Rescue And Accuses Woman Of Harassing Him
Francisca Santos and Monika Pašukonytė
3
People say there’s no love like a mother’s love. They love unconditionally and protect their children no matter what. And as much as that image is endearing and warms our hearts, sometimes mothers can also be wrong.
Maybe they have a bit of a “Karen” streak running through them, or maybe it’s just a bad day, but some moms are so defensive that no one can say anything about their precious child — just like in today’s story. A woman, who was already having a rough day to begin with, had to deal with a child stealing something from her and then handle the defensive mother on top of that. Oof.
Read more: Reddit
RELATED:Some parents are becoming increasingly protective of their children, to the point where they believe they can do no wrong
Image credits: Oleg Ivanov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
A social worker saw a clear example of an entitled mom and child after she had to head to the gym to take a shower mid work day
Image credits: dragonimages / Magnific (not the actual photo)
Aiming to take a shower and change to get spit and vomit out of herself, the woman then headed to the locker rooms where she met a kid interested in her head towel
Image credits: jet-po / Magnific (not the actual photo)
After being asked a gazillion questions and even refusing to give him the towel, the woman decided to dry her hair, only to return to her bag now without a towel
Image credits: dusanpetkovic / Magnific (not the actual photo)
After trying to get the towel back, since the kid was the only one present, the mother of the child appeared and started vehemently defending him, refusing to believe he’d ever steal
Image credits: timltv / Magnific (not the actual photo)
The situation got so heated that a male trainer had to go into the locker room to assess the situation, and after hearing them both, he went through the kid’s backpack
Image credits: zinkevych / Magnific (not the actual photo)
In there, he found the wet, used, pink towel belonging to the social worker, which left the entitled mom speechless, but the woman didn’t care and went back to getting ready
Image credits: Cakeikins
But the moment the mom saw the woman’s social worker badge, she quickly ran out of the locker room, fearing some kind of retaliation
The Original Poster (OP) of today’s story is a former social worker reminiscing about an incident that happened while she was still gaining experience in her career. She begins by explaining that one morning, she had the unfortunate luck of being spat and vomited on. To continue with her workday, she grabbed a spare set of clothes, headed to her gym, and took a shower.
So far, so good (well, aside from the spit), but then she noticed a kid in the locker room. She found it odd that he was alone during school hours, but she smiled at him nonetheless. She explains that he looked curious and immediately started asking questions about the towel wrapped around her head — what it was, what it was for, and eventually whether he could have it. She, of course, said no.
While blow-drying her hair, the woman noticed the kid acting suspiciously and soon realized her towel turban had disappeared. When she asked him about it, he refused to give it back. Moments later, his mom appeared, and before long, the two women were arguing. The mother refused to believe her son had stolen the towel, but she also refused to let anyone search his bag to prove his innocence.
The argument became so heated that a gym trainer had to step in. After hearing both sides of the story, he decided to check the kid’s bag, and sure enough, he found the pink towel inside. Furious that she had been proven wrong, the mother stayed put and watched the woman gather her things, but she quickly changed her tune when she noticed a social worker badge hanging from the woman’s locker. Yikes.
Image credits: vh-studio / Magnific (not the actual photo)
Now, it’s obvious there’s a clear problem here: a helicopter mom is in the room. This is a phenomenon experts often refer to as parental overreach, in which parents believe their child can do no wrong and that no one has the right to criticize them. Research has found a correlation between helicopter parenting and a sense of entitlement, as children may internalize the idea that rules don’t apply to them.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case. It’s a phenomenon that’s becoming increasingly common. Studies have shown that 42% of parents openly describe themselves as being “overinvolved” in their children’s daily lives. This overbearing approach can easily lead to a distorted sense of self, entitlement, and even narcissistic traits, as children begin to believe they can do no wrong.
And while the mother was clearly in the wrong, the OP might have handled it slightly differently as well. According to experts, the first three minutes of an interaction often determine how it will end, and a harsh opening usually leads to a defensive response. So, while this may not have worked, the OP could still have tried to have an objective but non-confrontational conversation with her first.
Many netizens were more concerned with the woman’s experience as a social worker than with the story itself. Others were simply baffled that the entire incident revolved around a used, wet towel. Not only did the kid steal it, but his mother also caused a scene over it. That said, if you were in the OP’s shoes, would you have handled the conversation with the mom differently?
Netizens were baffled that a kid and a mom would go to such lengths about a wet towel unnecessarily
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Children Francisca Santos
Writer, BoredPanda staff
Read more »This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.
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Writer, BoredPanda staff
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Read less » Monika Pašukonytė
Author, BoredPanda staff
Read more »I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.
Read less » Monika Pašukonytė
Author, BoredPanda staff
Read more »I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.
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POST 
LakotaWolf (she/her) LakotaWolf (she/her) Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow Premium 
Premium user. Get details. 1 hour ago I've got three of those hair-wrap turban-towel things. They're a game-changer. I'd fight for mine if someone stole them, too XD
1 1point reply
Toria Toria Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 38 minutes ago Same here.
0 0points reply Load More Replies...
Kristiina Männiste Kristiina Männiste Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 6 minutes ago (edited) Ewwwww what was an 8 year old boy doing in the ladies changing room in the first place?? And with a video recording device out and active at that (sorry but a smartphone does record videos). I recently had to endure a 11 year old girl facetiming her older brother while I tried to change out of my sports bra right effing behind her and I gave a solemn oath I would take steps the next time such b sh1t takes place.
0 0points reply POST LakotaWolf (she/her) LakotaWolf (she/her) Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow Premium Premium user. Get details. 1 hour ago I've got three of those hair-wrap turban-towel things. They're a game-changer. I'd fight for mine if someone stole them, too XD
1 1point reply Toria Toria Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 38 minutes ago Same here.
0 0points reply Load More Replies... Kristiina Männiste Kristiina Männiste Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 6 minutes ago (edited) Ewwwww what was an 8 year old boy doing in the ladies changing room in the first place?? And with a video recording device out and active at that (sorry but a smartphone does record videos). I recently had to endure a 11 year old girl facetiming her older brother while I tried to change out of my sports bra right effing behind her and I gave a solemn oath I would take steps the next time such b sh1t takes place.
0 0points reply
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