Au-revoir champagne, arrivederci Italian wine: Trump is annoyed and he’s raising tariffs on alcohol from the EU
The President of the United States continues his assault on the modern world with a new round of tariffs.
The leader of the free world continues to angrily stomp around the White House placing tariffs on various counties who have made him feel sad. As of right now, the latest country to be placed on the naughty list is France, with the latest tariff being place on something that the United States simply cannot make.
A popular drink for many, champagne must legally be produced in a specific area of northeast France, about 100 miles east of the capital city.
On Thursday, March 13, Trump threatened to implement a 200% tariff on all wines and other alcoholic beverages imported from Europe, with the crazy decision coming in response to the EU’s plan to tax American whiskey. The EU’s decision to impose a tax on whiskey was itself a reaction to Trump’s move to raise the aluminium tariff on EU imports to 25%.
Tariffs could be ‘catastrophic’
“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. 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. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”, Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that “The President was totally annoyed that the Europeans did this, and so you’re going to hear back from someone who emotionally cares about America. He cares about America, and he wants to take care of Americans. And why are Europeans picking on Kentucky bourbon….”
While Trump claims that the tariff will be “great” for the States, this is unlikely to be the case. Prices will rise for customers as businesses look to cover their increase in costs, so once again Trump’s economic policies do not, in fact, look after proud American citizens who are struggling in these tough times. Foodandwine.com say that the tariff could be "catastrophic" for Americans and “a $15 bottle of Prosecco could potentially cost $45.”
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