JAKARTA – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the European Union (EU), threatening to impose a staggering 200% tariff on imported European alcoholic beverages, including champagne and wine. The statement, made via his Truth Social account on Thursday (March 13), comes as a response to the EU’s recent decision to increase tariffs on American imports such as whiskey. This move was part of the bloc’s countermeasure against Trump’s previous imposition of tariffs on European steel and aluminum.
In his statement, Trump accused the European Union of implementing unfair trade practices and acting aggressively towards the United States. He insisted that the EU had long exploited American markets, benefiting from policies that he deemed unfavorable to U.S. economic interests. “If these unfair tariffs are not lifted immediately, the U.S. will impose a 200% tariff on all wine, champagne, and alcoholic beverages from France and other EU nations,” Trump declared, as reported by the Daily Mail on Friday (March 13, 2025).
Trump further justified his stance by claiming that such a move would benefit American businesses, particularly domestic wine and champagne producers. The EU’s new tariffs on American products are set to take effect on April 1, targeting goods from key states that played a crucial role in Trump’s political base, such as Kentucky, Florida, and Texas. Notably, the whiskey industry in these states is expected to face a significant impact from the EU’s retaliatory measures.
According to trade reports, European alcohol exports to the U.S. were valued at approximately €2.9 billion in 2024, whereas American whiskey exports to Europe stood at only around $699 million during the same period. This disparity highlights the potential ramifications of an escalating trade dispute. The CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, Chris Swonger, expressed disappointment over the EU’s decision to increase tariffs on American whiskey, arguing that such policies could jeopardize ongoing efforts to rebuild the U.S. spirits industry’s export market in Europe.
Trump’s threat specifically targets champagne, a symbol of French luxury and a product that can only be produced in the Champagne region of France under strict regulations. This suggests that the U.S. administration, under Trump’s influence, is willing to directly challenge one of France’s most prestigious industries. The proposed tariffs, if enforced, could lead to severe economic consequences for European beverage manufacturers while simultaneously disrupting supply chains and potentially driving up costs for American consumers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded to the growing tensions by cautioning against the economic harm that such tariffs could inflict. She emphasized that tariffs function as indirect taxation measures that ultimately burden businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. Von der Leyen also warned that the escalating trade dispute could lead to price surges in both Europe and the U.S., complicating economic recovery efforts.
Beyond the EU, Trump’s tariff disputes extend to Canada as well. In response to his aggressive trade policies, the Canadian government has imposed retaliatory tariffs worth $21 billion on various U.S. imports, including computers and sports equipment. These mounting trade tensions contribute to the broader context of economic friction between the U.S. and its key global partners, intensifying the already volatile landscape of international commerce.
As the situation unfolds, analysts predict that if neither side backs down, this dispute could escalate into a full-scale trade war, potentially affecting industries beyond alcohol and whiskey. The global market now awaits further developments, as the implications of these tariff threats extend far beyond the beverage industry, potentially shaping the future of U.S.-EU economic relations for years to come.
