Trump, tariffs, trade dispute, European Union, US-EU relations, wine, spirits, whiskey, economic policy, trade war

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne, and spirits if the European Union proceeds with its plan to tax American whiskey imports.

The EU’s 50% whiskey tariff, set to take effect on April 1, was introduced in response to the US administration’s decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum imports.

"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," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump’s Thursday announcement marks the latest escalation in a growing trade dispute between the US and some of its key allies and trading partners, including the EU, Canada, and Mexico.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he would "of course" retaliate against the EU’s tit-for-tat tariffs.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s decision, calling it a "strong but proportionate" response.

"As the US is applying tariffs worth $28 billion (€26 billion), we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion," she said in a statement.

Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU remains open to negotiations and that, in a world facing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in anyone’s best interest to impose tariffs that would harm economic stability.

Shortly before Trump’s 200% tariff threat, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill urged Washington to immediately revoke its duties on European steel and aluminum and called for diplomatic talks.

"The tariffs bring nothing but lose-lose outcomes, and we want to focus on win-win outcomes," Gill stated.

Since returning to the White House on January 20, Trump has imposed tariffs on a wide range of products from both US allies and rivals, including China.

Beijing has vowed to use "all necessary measures" in response to the new tariffs. China has already imposed 10% and 15% tariffs on US agricultural products.

Trump has frequently used tariff threats as a tool to pressure foreign governments into making policy concessions. His administration has linked tariffs to issues such as fentanyl smuggling, illegal immigration, and global trade imbalances.