U.S.-EU Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Tariff Decision Looms

The White House is set to announce potential 200% tariffs on European wine and spirits on April 2, while the EU delays retaliatory measures to allow for further negotiations.

President Trump has proposed a 200% tariff on European wine and spirits in response to the EU's planned tariffs on American goods, escalating transatlantic trade tensions.
The European Commission has postponed its retaliatory tariffs from April 1 to April 13 to provide more time for negotiations with the United States.
Italian officials, including Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, are advocating for diplomacy, emphasizing the critical importance of the U.S. market to Italy's €8 billion wine export industry.
Italian trade group Federvini reports a slowdown in wine and spirits exports to the U.S. due to uncertainty surrounding the proposed tariffs.
A U.S. delegation has confirmed attendance at the Vinitaly wine fair in Verona from April 6-9, signaling ongoing dialogue despite the unresolved trade dispute.