Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose 200 percent tariffs on wine, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages from European Union (EU) countries, in retaliation for the bloc’s planned tariffs on American whiskey.

Since taking office, Trump has frequently resorted to trade wars—targeting both rivals and allies—using tariffs as leverage on trade and broader policy disputes.

His latest warning came in response to the European Union's announcement on Wednesday that it would implement new tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods starting in April. The EU's move itself was a countermeasure to Trump's earlier tariffs on 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 Truth Social platform.

He also criticized the EU’s tariff structure, labeling a 50 percent duty on U.S. whiskey as “nasty.” Calling the EU "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world," Trump claimed the bloc was “formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States.”

France Responds: ‘We Will Not Give In’

France quickly responded to Trump’s threat. “We will not give in to threats,” French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said on X (formerly Twitter), adding that France is “determined to retaliate.”

French wine and spirits exporters expressed frustration at being caught in the crossfire. “We are fed up with being systematically sacrificed for issues unrelated to our own,” said Nicolas Ozanam, director general of the Federation of Exporters of Wines and Spirits (FEVS).

EU and Industry Reactions

Before Trump’s latest remarks, EU trade spokesperson Olof Gill said the bloc had been preparing for such developments for over a year. “We deeply regret the introduction of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports yesterday,” he said, emphasizing the EU’s readiness for further escalation.

The renewed uncertainty over Trump’s trade policy rattled global financial markets. U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday, following declines in Asia. European markets, however, posted gains.

Meanwhile, the U.S. spirits industry expressed disappointment over the EU’s new whiskey tariffs. “Reimposing these debilitating tariffs at a time when the spirits industry continues to face a slowdown in the U.S. marketplace will further curtail growth and negatively impact distillers and farmers across the country,” said Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council.

A similar round of tariffs in 2018 resulted in a 20 percent decline in American whiskey exports to the EU. After those tariffs were lifted in 2021, exports rebounded sharply, surging nearly 60 percent to $699 million by 2024.

It remains unclear what legal mechanism Trump might use to justify imposing a 200 percent tariff on European alcoholic products.

Broader Tariff Strategy

Trump’s broader tariff strategy has extended beyond Europe. He has previously imposed or threatened tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing issues such as illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling—though in cases like Canada, such claims are minimal or unsubstantiated.

Specific commodities including steel, aluminum, and copper have also been targeted under Trump’s trade agenda. Many of the affected countries, including China and the EU, have responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own.

China has already imposed duties ranging from 10 to 15 percent on U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans and poultry, and has vowed to take “all necessary measures” in response to further U.S. trade actions.

On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s retaliatory steps, calling them “strong but proportionate.” The tariffs cover a range of American goods, from bourbon to motorcycles.