President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne, and spirits if the European Union (EU) goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey, the Associated Press reports.
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.
In a morning social media post, Trump 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.”
