On Thursday, President Trump announced that he was considering imposing tariffs as high as 200% on alcoholic beverages imported from the European Union. His threat came in response to the EU’s decision to implement a 50% tax on American whiskey.
“The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky,” Trump, 78, wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“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.”
For weeks, Trump had been vocal about his intention to introduce retaliatory tariffs against the EU as part of his broader trade strategy aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit.
“The U.S. doesn’t have Free Trade. We have “Stupid Trade.” The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!!” Trump fumed in another Truth Social post later on Thursday morning.
The European Union’s 50% tariff on whiskey, which is scheduled to take effect in April after consultations with its member nations, was implemented as a direct countermeasure to Trump’s latest policy imposing tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, which had officially begun on Wednesday.
In addition to the whiskey tax, European officials are planning further retaliatory duties on a range of American products, such as beef, poultry, dairy, honey, fresh produce, mattresses, chandeliers, and various other goods.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded with concern, saying in a statement, “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers.”
“These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.”
She also expressed the EU’s willingness to negotiate with Trump, stating that the bloc remains “open to negotiation” and is seeking a “meaningful dialogue” to halt the tariff escalation.
Meanwhile, Trump has been engaged in ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico over a separate 25% tariff. Over the past month, both neighboring countries have made concessions on border security as part of the discussions.
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