Boozehounds — I say that with love, of course — we have some bad news.
President Donald Trump issued a warning Thursday, threatening to impose a 200% tariff on European wine, Champagne, and spirits if the European Union proceeds with its planned tariff on American whiskey.
The EU’s proposed 50% tariff on American whiskey, set to take effect on April 1, was introduced in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. This move comes just ahead of additional reciprocal tariffs that Trump intends to implement against the EU.
In a morning post on social media, Trump signaled a new escalation in the trade dispute, vowing swift retaliation if the EU follows through with its whiskey tax.
“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.”
Prediction markets—platforms where users trade money predicting future events—don’t think he’s bluffing, forecasting a 92% chance that Trump will tariff the EU this year.
Here are the most popular brands that will be hit, and we’re gonna go alphabetically, because like blue-blooded Americans, we like our booze (and also the alphabet … sometimes)
Beer
Buckle up, friends.
Heineken
Heineken comes from the Netherlands and it’s one of the most recognized imported beers in the U.S.
Guinness
Guinness is — I realize I’m somewhat biased since I’m half Irish — arguably one of the most recognized beer brands in the entire world. Seriously, it’s served with breakfast in Dublin.
Champagne and Sparkling Wine
Moët & Chandon is a French concoction that is wildly overrated, but the rest of you seem to like it. It’s often seen in celebrations for reasons that totally escape me.
Gin
Gordon’s
Gordon’s comes from the land of prince’s and kings we rebelled against, but it’s of the best-selling gins in the U.S.
Beefeater
Then there’s Beefeater. I would ask what the name means, other than being a fan of red meat, but frankly I don’t care.
Beefeater is a well-known London dry gin in bars and restaurants.
Liqueurs and apéritifs
Baileys Irish Cream
One might accurately surmise that this is an Irish-based cream liqueur, especially when it comes to desserts and coffee-based drinks.
Cointreau
France’s Cointreau is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails like Margaritas and Cosmopolitans.
There’s also Campari, which seems to be gaining popularity due to the rise of cocktails like the Negroni.
Jägermeister
Oh, and don’t forget Jägermeister, the Germany-based boozed that is a favorite for shots.
Vodka
Absolut is a Swedish vodka brand with a strong American presence, and Smirnoff, which stems from Russia and the UK, is one of the top-selling vodka brands in the U.S.
Whiskeys/cognacs
OK, this one is where it hurts.
Jameson
Everybody knows Jameson. It’s probably the most popular Irish whiskey on the planet.
Johnnie Walker
A Scottish whisky, as opposed to whiskey, because they apparently don’t believe in certain vowels like us God-fearing Irish.
Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal is a fine blended Scotch whisky. And fun fact: one of Hunter Thompson’s favorites.
Tullamore D.E.W.
Tullamore D.E.W. is an Irish delight, so get it while you can.
Hennessy
France’s Hennessy, for whatever reason, is still one of the most consumed cognacs in the U.S.
Remy Martin
Rémy Martin is another French one which is supposed to be a luxury cognac brand and is also widely popular. No idea why.
