Trump threatens EU with 200% tariffs on alcohol beverages

If the European Union (EU) does not retract 50 per cent tariff on US whisky, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on European wines, champagnes, and all other alcohols.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the EU’s tariff as “nasty” and slammed the group for having the sole purpose of harming the United States.

“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 per cent tariff on whisky. If this tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200 per cent tariff on all wines, champagnes, and alcohol products coming out of France and other EU-represented countries,” said Trump.

Trump’s warning comes a day after the European Union (EU) announced tariffs on US goods worth $28 billion from April in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports. Trump has threatened the EU with more tariffs when he would start rolling out reciprocal tariffs starting April 2.

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Previously, Trump has warned to impose tariffs on cars made in the EU.

So far, Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico (Canadian oil is tariffed at 10 per cent); 20 per cent tariffs on China; and 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports. He has also also announced tariffs on copper and lumber imports.

Trump has repeatedly singled out the EU and countries like India and Brazil when it comes to tariffs.