France is readying itself against the newly declared 200% tariffs on champagne, wine, and other spirits by US President Donald Trump. Foreign Minister Laurent Saint-Martin stated on Thursday that the nation would not give in to threats, instead highlighting the resolve of France to retaliate.
Trump’s declaration, posted on Truth Social, announced that the US would put on these high tariffs after the European Union proposed imposing counter-tariffs on about €26 billion ($28 billion) worth of American products beginning next month. “If this Tariff is not taken down immediately, the U.S. will soon impose a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS ENTERING THE U.S. FROM FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED NATIONS,” he said.
The French group that speaks for wine and spirits exporters, FEVS, complained of being in the middle of a larger trade conflict. FEVS president Nicolas Ozanam accused the European Commission of slapping tariffs on US-made whiskey, saying French interests were being “sacrificed” in unrelated trade matters. “We are fed up with being systematically sacrificed for matters that have nothing to do with us,” Ozanam said, calling on the EU Commission to be more realistic.
The EU, on its part, has reaffirmed its openness to negotiations, insisting that raising tariffs would be disadvantageous to all stakeholders. EU wine exports to the United States last year were worth €4.9 billion, representing 29% of the EU’s wine exports overall. Significantly, France contributed almost half of these exports, while Italy accounted for almost 40%.
As tensions escalate, the threat of a global trade war hangs over the horizon, each side indicating a willingness to stand up for its interests.
