President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with 200% tariffs on alcohol after the EU announced a slate of tariffs on American products beginning next month.
Trump has used tariff threats heavily during the early part of his second term, but his tactics have not been without response from other countries. The EU announced a 50% tariff on whiskey, a measure Trump decried as “nasty” in a Truth Social post announcing the tariff threat.
“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% Tariff on Whisky.” Trump wrote. “If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”
In 2023, the U.S. imported $2.53 billion of wine from France, $2.16 billion of wine from Italy, and $382 million of wine from Spain, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
Trump doubled down on his tactics with a subsequent Truth Social post, claiming that the world is “ripping” the U.S. off in terms of trade.
“The U.S. doesn’t have Free Trade. We have “Stupid Trade.” The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!!” Trump said.
The latest threats come after the president implemented tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico, China, and the EU. The current dispute came after Trump announced 25% tariff rates for steel and aluminum imports, which went into effect Tuesday. The European Union is one of the largest exporters of steel into the U.S., and responded with its own tariffs on Wednesday.
EU ROLLS OUT TARIFFS AGAINST US TARGETING $28 BILLION IN EXPORTS
The EU tariffs will affect U.S. textiles, home appliances, agricultural goods, motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans, along with steel and aluminum, seeking to target Republican states with the products it impacts.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that they “deeply regret this measure,” and “will always remain open to negotiation.”
