Trump’s Tariff Threat Worries French Wine and Champagne Producers

Title: French Wine Producers Brace for Impact of Proposed 200% Tariffs on Exports to the U.S.

French wine producers are expressing alarm over President Trump’s recent threat to implement staggering 200 percent tariffs on European wine, Champagne, and spirits, a move that could severely disrupt their flourishing trade with the United States—traditionally their largest export market. The shocking proposal has left many in the industry scrambling for answers, as they fear the repercussions could be catastrophic.

Gabriel Picard, the chairman of the Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters, shared his grave concerns with French media, stating, “A 200 percent tax on European wines and spirits would mean an immediate halt to all shipments to the United States. That’s almost 4 billion euros wiped off the French trade balance, for zero gain.” Such a drastic increase in tariffs would inevitably lead to a complete breakdown of the established trade relationships that have flourished for years.

Laurent Delaunay, president of the Burgundy Interprofessional Wine Bureau, reflected the disbelief felt across the industry. “We are in shock,” he remarked, emphasizing that given the United States’ status as their top market, the proposed tariffs would be “catastrophic” if implemented. Delaunay noted that the business ties between French wine producers and U.S. importers have been cultivated over many years, making the potential tariff changes particularly distressing.

The two principal Champagne-producing associations in France found themselves momentarily at a loss for words following Trump’s announcement. A spokesperson for the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin Champagne responded via email, stating, “We have just received the message from the American president; at this stage, we have no comment to make.” However, wine producers on the ground quickly voiced their apprehension about the uncertainty of maintaining business relations with American importers who might struggle to absorb or pass on the cost of such steep tariffs.

François Huré, who operates Huré Frères—a small Champagne house that exports a significant portion of its output to the United States—described the potential fallout vividly: “A 200 percent tariff is a lot; it would kill the business totally.” Huré disclosed that various buyers in the U.S. had already prepared for the possibility of a 25 percent tariff, but the prospect of a 200 percent levy was unimaginable. “Our distributors in the United States would cancel their orders; they simply wouldn’t be able to afford it. It would be a substantial halt to the Champagne industry,” he stressed.

The repercussions of such high tariffs would not merely disrupt shipments; they would effectively double retail prices in the U.S. market. Huré quantified the impact: “If Champagne doubles from $60, who will pay $120? No one,” he asserted, emphasizing that an increase of that magnitude would primarily affect affluent consumers, a segment insufficient to sustain an entire industry.

Last year, the United States imported between 25 million and 26 million bottles of Champagne from France, with the figure for wine and spirits exports hovering around €3.9 billion. This accounted for a quarter of total French exports to the United States. The Bordeaux Wine Council highlighted that the U.S. remains the largest market both in terms of volume and value for Bordeaux wines, while the Cognac sector noted that it directly supports around 70,000 jobs in France. These stakeholders collectively voiced their discontent, insisting they should not have to bear the brunt of European political tensions.

European spirits producers, already anxious about being affected by potential retaliatory measures, echoed these concerns. Following the announcement of potential tariffs, the industry lobby SpiritsEurope urged both the European Union and the United States to keep their sector insulated from ongoing disputes. The group described the continuous tit-for-tat retaliations as detrimental to businesses, labor, and consumers alike.

France’s Foreign Trade Minister, Laurent Saint-Martin, made it clear that the French government intends to take a firm stance in response to Trump’s escalation of trade tensions. “We will not give in to threats,” Saint-Martin declared on social media platform X, accusing Trump of exacerbating the trade war he initiated.

As French wine and Champagne producers stand at a critical juncture, individuals and organizations within the industry are anxiously waiting to see how this situation will unfold and what measures might be taken to mitigate the potential damage to their livelihoods.