Trump threatens 200% tariff on French wine, other EU alcohol products

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose a 200% tariff on alcohol products from France and other European countries, exacerbating the trade war among U.S. allies. 

Trump issued the threat after the European Union announced it would proceed with a planned tariff on American whiskey.

“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.,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

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French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin responded to Trump’s post on Thursday, saying the country will protect its industries.

Trump “is launching the escalation in the trade war he chose to start,” Saint-Martin said in a post on X that was translated to English. “France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners.”

Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger wants the president to secure a spirits agreement with the EU, arguing that the U.S. spirits sector supports more than $200 billion in economic activity. It also provides 1.7 million jobs across production, distribution, hospitality and retail, and purchases about 2.8 billion pounds of grains from American farmers, according to Swonger. 

“We urge President Trump to secure a spirits agreement with the EU to get us back to zero-for-zero tariffs, which will create U.S. jobs and increase manufacturing and exports for the American hospitality sector,” he said. “We want toasts not tariffs.”

TRUMP’S 25% TARIFF INCREASE ON ALL STEEL, ALUMINUM IMPORTS TAKES EFFECT, PROMPTING RETALIATION FROM EUROPE

The European Commission on Wednesday said it will impose counter-tariffs on 26 billion euros’ ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods exports in response to Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

“The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. “Our countermeasures will be introduced in two steps. Starting with 1 April and fully in place as of 13 April. In the meantime, we will always remain open to negotiation.”

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The EU exported 531.6 billion euros in goods to the U.S. in 2024, and imported 333.4 billion euros, resulting in a 198.2 billion-euro trade surplus, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat.