U.S. President Donald Trump threatens 200% tariff on wine, champagne from France, other EU countries

Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European alcohol in response to EU levies, sparking trade tensions and market uncertainty.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (March 13, 2025) threatened to impose 200% tariffs on wine, champagne and other alcoholic products from France and other European Union countries in retaliation against the bloc’s planned levies on U.S.-produced whiskey.

“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,” he posted on his Truth Social platform.

Mr. Trump has launched trade wars against competitors and partners alike since taking office, wielding tariffs as a tool to pressure countries on commerce and other policy issues.

On Wednesday (March 12, 2025), the European Union unveiled tariffs countering U.S. moves on steel and aluminum, hitting some $28 billion of US goods in stages from April.

Mr. Trump on Thursday (March 13, 2025) renewed his criticism of the bloc, singling out a 50-percent levy on US whiskey as being “nasty.”

He termed the EU “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World” and said it “was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States.”

Uncertainty over Trump’s trade plans and worries that they could trigger a recession have roiled financial markets. But US stocks regained some ground Wednesday even as some Asia markets retreated.