A US tariff of 200% on wine imports from the EU – as threatened today (13 March) by President Trump – would shut off the market to the bloc’s winemakers, a trade association chief has said.
Ignacio Sánchez, the secretary general of European wine sector association CEEV, warned the tariff would be “a devastating hit for our industry”.
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“If the proposed 200% tariffs on EU wines are implemented, it would effectively shut down the US market for EU wines – a devastating hit for our industry,” Sánchez told Just Drinks. “The US accounts for 27% of our total exports and there is no alternative market that could compensate for such a loss.”
Earlier today, President Trump took to social media to warn the EU he would impose a 200% tariff on the bloc’s alcohol imports to the US.
Trump’s threat followed the EU’s announcement of plans to hit US products with its own tariffs, a move sparked by Washington’s decision to tax steel and aluminium shipments.
Brussels’ tariffs, due to be introduced next month, cover a range of products but, in a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted the EU’s “nasty” levy on US 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’s post read.
“If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER EU REPRESENTED COUNTRIES. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the US.”
The EU’s planned tariffs on US products include beer, wine, gin, whiskey, rum, Tequila and non-alcoholic drinks derived from milk.
Brussels plans to introduce the tariffs in two steps, starting on 1 April and then have them fully in place from 13 April.
According to data provided by CEEV, EU wine exports were worth €16.71bn ($18.15bn) in the bloc’s 2023-24 campaign year. The US accounted for 27%, or €4.53bn, of sales, with the UK the second-largest market at 20%.
SpiritsEurope, an association representing distillers in the EU, said it was “deeply alarmed” by Trump’s latest statement.
“We urge both sides to stop using our sector as a bargaining chip in conflicts that have nothing to do with us,” the industry body said in a statement.
“Spirits trade exemplifies how open markets create mutual benefits. Reimposing tariffs would be a step backward – hurting businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides.”
Across the Atlantic, Chris Swonger, the president and CEO of US spirits industry association DISCUS, added: “We urge President Trump to secure a spirits agreement with the EU to get us back to zero-for-zero tariffs, which will create US jobs and increase manufacturing and exports for the American hospitality sector.”
Last week, Italy’s wine trade association said the impact of US tariffs could wipe almost €1bn from the value of the country’s wine exports.
Italy, the second-largest wine producer in the EU, would see the value of its exports to the US reduced by around €472m, the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) said, based on a 25% cut to the value of its shipments to the country last year.
The industry association said Italy’s winemakers would also feel the impact of “economic slowdowns” in other markets affected by US tariffs, pointing to Germany.
