WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will impose a 200 per cent wine tariff and similar tariffs on other alcoholic beverages from European Union (EU) countries if the bloc does not remove its 50 per cent tariff on whiskey.
“The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50 per cent tariff on whisky,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“If this tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200 per cent wine tariff across all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products coming out of France and other EU-represented countries. This will be great for the wine and champagne businesses in the .S.”
Trump’s threat comes as the European Commission prepares to impose counter tariffs on euro26 billion ($28 billion) worth of US goods next month, escalating a global trade war triggered by US tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The European Commission said it remained open to negotiations but warned that higher tariffs serve no one’s interests. It will end its current suspension of tariffs on US products on April 1, with full implementation set for April 13.
Trump’s remarks weighed on US stock futures, while shares of European spirits makers also declined.
