SpiritsEurope is the latest alcohol trade association to express concern at US President Donald Trump’s most recent pledge of a 200% tariff on wine and spirits exports from the European Union.
Earlier this week, the EU announced a plan to implement a 50% tariff on imports of American whiskey in response to Trump’s decision to bring back tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Today (13 March), Trump said on social media platform Truth Social that “the US will shortly place a 200% tariff on all wines, champagnes and alcoholic products coming out of France and other EU represented countries”.
“This cycle of tit-for-tat retaliation must end now,” said SpiritsEurope. “We urge both sides to stop using our sector as a bargaining chip in conflicts that have nothing to do with us.”
The trade dispute between the EU and the US has been ongoing since 2018, during Trump’s first term as president.
“Spirits trade exemplifies how open markets create mutual benefits. Reimposing tariffs would be a step backward – hurting businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides,” the organisation added. “The EU and US must de-escalate this dispute now and ensure spirits are never again caught in the crossfire.”
Earlier this month, The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) welcomed the President’s decision to postpone his threatened tariffs on imported products from Canada and Mexico.
