US President Donald Trump threatened to apply 200 % wine duties and other alcohols produced in Europe. The tariff will be applied if the European Union does not give up the announced duties on American whiskey.
“The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusing tax and customs authorities in the world, which was created only to use the United States, just imposed a nasty duty of 50 percent on whiskey. If the duty is not abolished immediately, the United States will soon impose 200 percent of the duty on all wines, champagne and alcohol products from France and other countries from France and other countries from France and other countries Represented by the EU ” – wrote Trump on the Truth Social portal. As he assessed, these duties will be very beneficial for winemakers in USA.
Donald Trump about the duties
Trump's entry is a reaction to the EU retaliation duties, imposed in response to a 25 % American tariff on steel and aluminum, including the EU.
Similar duties on American whiskey and bourbon, produced largely in the states ruled by Republicans like Kentucky and Tennessee, were imposed during the first trade war between the USA and the EU during the first term of Trump. They were later suspended, but on Wednesday it was decided to return them.
The industry warns
Representatives of the American alcohol industry warned that the EU duties could be “devastating” for the industry for which Europe is the main export market. The export of whiskey and other high -alcohol products has increased by 60 percent over the past three years. and its value is $ 833 million. In turn, the value of European drinks exported to the USA – including Polish vodka – amounts to almost EUR 3 billion according to the Spiritseurope group.
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO