Tariffs Proposed On Some Wine, Alcohol Products: What To Know In RI

RHODE ISLAND — President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on European wine, champagne and spirits, which could steer more Rhode Island to domestic products,

Trump threatened the tariffs in the latest salvo in an escalating trade war, after the European Union said it was considering a 50 percent tariff on American whiskey in response to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform Thursday that the European Union, long one of the closest U.S. allies, is “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.”

“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.” he said.

Rhode Island ranks 40th in wine consumption, according to an analysis by Vine Pair. In per capita consumption, Rhode Island ranks 13th in per capita consumption, with the average person consuming about 0.54 gallons of wine a year.

Last year, the United States imported $6.79 billion worth of wine from 73 countries, with France and Italy accounting for 70 percent of it, according to Vintur. France led in value, with $2.506 billion in imports, followed by Italy, with $2.253.

Italy was the largest supplier by volume, exporting 353.9 million liters to the United States. Canada ranked second with 203.8 million liters, and France was third with 171.9 million liters exported. Spain ranked as the fourth-largest supplier by value, but was seventh in volume.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told NBC News the region’s trade minister has already contacted his American counterparts and that “calls are being prepared.”

The U.S. is the world’s largest import market for both wine ($4.9 billion in annual sales) and champagne ($1.7 billion), but ranks fifth among all nations in exports (about $1 billion), according to World Bank data. U.S. exports of champagne and sparkling wine total just $67 million, 12th in the world.

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