Trump Vows to Impose 200% Tariff on Alcohol From EU in Response to Whiskey Tax

America’s response to Europe’s response to America’s tariffs in the span of 36 hours shows how trade wars can quickly spiral out of control. After Trump’s 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel went into effect at midnight Wednesday morning, the EU immediately retaliated against what it called an “unjustified” trade action from the Trump administration. The EU’s countermeasures included tariffs on €26 billion ($28 billion) worth of American goods, including tariffs on boats, bourbon and motorbikes. The measures, which are set to go into effect in April, are “swift and proportionate,” it said in a statement. America’s spirits industry said Wednesday it was bracing for pain from the retaliatory tariffs.

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne and spirits if the European Union goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey. The European tariff, which was unveiled in response to steel and aluminum tariffs by the U.S. administration, was expected to go into effect on April 1. But Trump, in a morning social media post, vowed a new escalation in his trade war if the EU pushes ahead with the planned 50% tariff on American whiskey. “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. “This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”

The tariff threat comes after the European Union plans to move ahead with a planned tariff on American whiskey. "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 said in a post on Truth Social. The president's threat comes after the European Commission on Wednesday said it will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods exports in response to Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.