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Trump's Proposed 200% Tariffs Threaten European Wine and Spirits Trade

The tariffs could disrupt the U.S.-EU alcohol market, raising prices for American consumers and jeopardizing European producers' access to a key export market.

Logs are sorted at the White Mountain Lumber Co., Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Berlin, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
A construction crew works at a site in San Bruno, Calif., Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Grape harvested in the Champagne area of France.
A man walks through the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Overview

  • President Trump has proposed a 200% tariff on European wine, spirits, and beer, escalating an ongoing trade dispute with the EU.
  • The U.S. imports approximately $5.4 billion in wine annually from the EU, with European producers warning that the tariffs could devastate their industry and force them to seek alternative markets.
  • American consumers are likely to face significantly higher prices for imported alcohol, with industry leaders cautioning that this may harm restaurants, bars, and workers reliant on customer traffic.
  • European winemakers and brewers, including French Champagne producers and Belgian beer makers, are scrambling to prepare for potential losses in their largest export market.
  • U.S. wine producers, particularly in California, Oregon, and New York, may see a boost in demand as consumers look for domestic alternatives to European wines.