Washington, 13 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a whopping 200% tariff on wine, champagne and spirits from the European Union if the bloc goes forward with its plan to slap a 50% levy on US whiskey.

Trump's warning came a day after the US placed global tariffs on steel and aluminium, including from Europe. The EU retaliated by announcing tariffs on US products including motorcycles, peanut butter, boats and Jack Daniel's whiskey starting on April 1.

"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 wrote on his Truth Social platform, falsely saying the tariff was already in effect.

"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."

The US spirits industry lamented the trade war in a Wednesday statement, calling the EU's tariff decision "debilitating" and "deeply disappointing."

Photo: Truth Social screenshot