Thu Mar 13 13:55:02 UTC 2025: ## Trump Threatens 200% Tariffs on EU Alcohol in Retaliation for Whiskey Levies

**Washington, D.C. – March 13, 2025** – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200% tariff on wines, champagnes, and other alcoholic beverages from France and other European Union member states. This drastic measure is in direct response to the EU’s planned levies on U.S.-produced whiskey, announced earlier this week.

Trump, using his Truth Social platform, declared that unless the EU tariffs are immediately removed, the U.S. will swiftly implement the retaliatory tariffs. This escalation marks yet another chapter in Trump’s history of using tariffs as a tool in trade disputes.

The EU’s new tariffs, totaling approximately $28 billion on various U.S. goods, are a response to previous U.S. actions on steel and aluminum. Trump has criticized the 50% levy on American whiskey as “nasty” and denounced the EU as a “hostile and abusive” taxing authority.

The American spirits industry has expressed deep concern over the potential impact of these renewed tariffs. The Distilled Spirits Council head, Chris Swonger, warned that further curtailing growth will negatively impact distillers and farmers. Past experiences with similar tariffs demonstrate the potential for severe damage; a 2018 imposition led to a 20% drop in American whiskey exports to the EU, while their subsequent removal in 2021 resulted in a nearly 60% surge.

While the legal basis for Trump’s proposed tariffs remains unclear, his actions have historically targeted numerous countries, including Canada, Mexico, and China, over various trade and policy disagreements. These actions frequently trigger retaliatory tariffs from affected nations, further escalating tensions and creating uncertainty in global financial markets. The EU has defended its retaliatory measures as “strong but proportionate.” China has also vowed to take “all necessary measures” in response to U.S. trade actions.

Read More