The European Union reported on March 12 its intention to impose tariffs to a series of American products, including The bourbon, motorcycles and shipsin retaliation for 25 % applied by Washington to steel and aluminum that entered into force that same day.
European rates would begin to be applied on April 1, eve of the calls “Reciprocal” Customs Tariffs with those that Trump threatens.
“If they do not immediately withdraw the tariff, United States very soon It will impose a rate From 200 % to all wines, champagne and alcoholic products from France and other EU countries, ”Trump wrote in his social truth network.
The Republican took the opportunity to accuse the European bloc of having been “Created with the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States”. The EU is “one of the most hostile and abusive institutions in its Tax and Tariff Policy“He repeated.
French wines and liquor exporters reacted saying that they are “Tired of being systematically sacrificed” for issues that are alien to them and expect that “the European Commission shows some realism.”
French Foreign Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said that France is still determined to respond and lamented the Commercial War that Donald Trump He has chosen to undertake.
“We will not yield to threats; We will always protect our sectors, ”said the minister in X.
D. Trump lance La Surenchère Dans The Guerre Commercial Qu’il a Choisi de Declecher.
The France subtracts from à riposter avec the Commission Européenne et nos partenaires.
Nous ne céderoons pas aux menaces et protègerons toujours us filières.
-Laurent Saint-Martin (@laurentsmartin) March 13, 2025
The announcement of the European Commission of Impose “strong but provided” retaliation tariffs To a series of products imported from the United States concern liquor producers.
They want the European Union and the United States to leave the sector out of their disputes.
Europe in shelter so far
A 1997 transatlantic agreement eliminated customs barriers between Washington and Brussels. This has allowed, according to the group, a trade growth of 450 % to 2018, when the previous Trump administration launched its first commercial war.
The United States represents the largest international market for alcoholic beverages. The French sales progressed 5 % in 2024reaching 3,800 million euros, particularly with Wine and Coñac exports, according to the French Federation of Wine Exporters and Spirit.
Most alcoholic beverages from Europe enter the United States Tax freeand only 2 % apply to sparkling wines, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In 2024, the liquors registered despite the consequences of a Antidumping Research undertaken by China Against the brandy produced in the EU, including the Coñac and the Armañac. These commercial reprisals caused a 25 % drop in exports to China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Since he returned to the White House in January, the US president has used tariffs as pressure tool to obtain agreements, as a means to protect some industrial sectors and as a source of fiscal income for the federal government.
Until now, CanadaMexico and China, the three main commercial partners of the United States, have been Trump’s objectives.