France to Retaliate if U.S. Imposes 200% Tariff on Wines
U.S. President Donald Trump. X/ @KeepinI_real
March 13, 2025 Hour: 12:09 pm
President Trump believes that high tariffs on European alcoholic beverages will benefit U.S. industries.
On Thursday, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin said that his country will retaliate if the United States follows through on a threat to impose a 200-percent tariff on all wines and spirits coming from France and other European Union countries.
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“France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners,” he said, accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of “escalating the trade war” and emphasizing that France and the EU would not give in to threats.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine echoed the stance, saying that there would be an “immediate, firm, and appropriate” response if Washington implements the tariff.
Previously, Trump’s administration announced a 25-percent tariff on imports of steel, aluminum, and certain products containing steel and aluminum from the EU. In retaliation, the bloc announced a 50-percent tariff on U.S. whisky on Wednesday.
The EU’s move has irritated the White House. In response, Trump threatened to put a 200-percent tariff on all alcoholic products from EU countries.
“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,” the Republican leader recalled.
“If this tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% tariff on all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products coming out of France and other EU represented countries. This will be great for the wine and champagne businesses in the U.S.,” he added.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: Xinhua – EFE