US President Donald Trump Issues Tariff Threat Against European Beverages
US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential imposition of tariffs as high as 200 percent on various European beverages, including wine and champagne. This decision is a direct response to proposed tariffs by the European Union aimed at American whiskey.
On March 13, 2025, Trump stated, “If the customs definitions are not removed immediately, the United States will soon impose 200 percent tariffs on all types of wine and champagne from France and other EU countries.” His comments underscore a broader strategy to challenge the EU’s trade practices that he perceives to be detrimental to US interests.
Following his return to the White House in December, Trump has been vocal about the need to exert pressure on nations he believes are taking trade actions against the United States. His remarks coincide with the EU’s recent announcement regarding tariffs on specific US goods and follow his earlier implementation of a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
In response to Trump’s statements, European stocks experienced a notable decline in the Wall Street market. Notably, Titanzhi, a prominent French producer of wine and champagne, projected that Trump’s proposed tariffs could lead to a staggering 120 percent increase in the prices of certain beverages.
According to data from the World Trade Organization, Europe exported approximately $5.2 billion worth of goods to the United States in 2023, highlighting the significant economic stakes involved in this ongoing tariff dispute.
