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Italy's Campari America unit has hired Trump-connected Ballard Partners to handle trade and tariff matters.
The Milan-based company is the world's No. 6 spirits producer and owner of the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY.
The EU has slapped a retaliatory tariff on US whiskey imports following President Trump's decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports to the US.
While Campari believes free trade is in the interests of all parties, a spokesperson says since Wild Turkey Straight Kentucky Bourbon "is in its seeding phase in Europe, the duties on bourbon will not affect our growth plans for the brand nor the overall performance of the company."
Brian Ballard, who was Trump's top campaign fundraiser in Florida, and Syl Lukis, manager of Ballard's DC office, handle the business for Campari America, which is based in New York.
San Francisco-based Skyy Spirits, maker of Skyy Vodka, is the other key part of Campari America.
Ballard Partners has signed to a represent the US unit of Rheinmetall, Germany’s biggest defense contractor, on Army procurement issues.
BGR Group signs on to provide lobbying and PR services for Terzo, an AI financial intelligence platform. Douglas Lute, chair of BGR’s international and defense practices, will join Terzo’s board of directors.
Avoq has landed Palantir Technologies, the controversial surveillance company founded by right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel, as a client.
Anne Kierig, who was senior manager of public policy at Amazon, has joined the American Advertising Federation as VP-government affairs. She takes over for Clark Rector, who is retiring after a 37-year run at AAF.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which was established in compliance with the executive order signed by President Trump, has hired Valcour LLC, which has close ties with his administration.
