President Trump threatened up to 200% tariffs on all alcoholic products coming from the European Union on Thursday after the countries levied a 50% tax on US whiskey.
“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,” Trump, 78, posted on his Truth Social.
“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.”
President Trump posted on Truth Social that “he European Union is “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World.” Getty Images
“The U.S. will place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE” if the whiskey tax is not lifted, Trump threatened. AFP via Getty ImagesThe president had warned about his plans to slap reciprocal tariffs on the EU for weeks as a part of his agenda to reduce US trade deficits.
“The U.S. doesn’t have Free Trade. We have “Stupid Trade.” The Entire World is RIPPING US OFF!!!” Trump erupted later Thursday morning on his Truth Social.
The EU announced the 50% whiskey tariff — set to be imposed in April after deliberations with member states — as a response to Trump’s new tariff on all steel and aluminum imports that went into effect Wednesday.
European officials are also preparing counter-tariffs on other US goods, including poultry, beef, dairy, honey, produce, mattresses, chandeliers, and more.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers.”
“These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.”
Trump has been threatening to impose reciprocal tariffs as a part of his agenda to reduce trade deficits. AFP via Getty ImagesShe also said the EU is “open to negotiation” with Trump and wants a “meaningful dialogue” to suspend the tariffs.
Trump unloaded on the EU some more in the Oval Office in remarks to the press with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, pointing out that the EU has high tariffs on US-made cars and has sued American companies.
Countries in the EU recently levied a 50% tax on US whiskey. AP“The European Union is very, very nasty. They sue our companies,” Trump said.
Trump has gone back-and-forth with Canada and Mexico over a 25% tariff in the past month after the two neighboring countries made concessions on border security.
“We’ve been ripped off for years and we’re not going to be ripped off anymore. I’m not going to bend at all — aluminum or steel or cars — we’re not going to bend,” he said in the Oval Office.
Trump reiterated that he wants to see Canada become the 51st state because we “subsidize” them through tariffs.
“We don’t need anything they have,” he said of the northern neighbor of the US






