Trump Threatens 200% Tariff on French Wine in Response to EU Retaliatory Tariffs; France Declares "No Surrender" (Summary)

# Trump Warns EU of Retaliatory Tariffs as Trade Tensions Escalate WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS—President Donald Trump on the 13th (local time) warned that he would impose a 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages manufactured in European Union (EU) countries if the EU fails to immediately rescind the proposed 50% tariff on American whiskey. The escalation comes as the EU retaliates against Trump’s initial tariff measures, setting the stage for a full-blown “tariff war” between the U.S. and Europe. President Trump took to social media to state, “The EU, which was created solely to take advantage of the United States, has just slapped a filthy 50% tariff on American whiskey. If this tariff is not immediately removed, the U.S. will promptly impose a 200% tariff on all wine, champagne, and alcohol products from France and other EU countries.” In response to the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on worldwide steel, aluminum, and derivative products effective from the 12th, the EU included a 50% tariff on American whiskey in its first phase of retaliatory measures set to begin on the 1st of next month. French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, responding to the direct impact on France’s alcoholic beverage industry, declared on X (formerly Twitter), “We will not succumb to threats and will protect our industrial sector.” He added, “President Trump is exacerbating a trade war he initiated. France, along with the European Commission and its partners, is firmly committed to countering these U.S. tariffs." Minister Saint-Martin's remarks underscore support for the European Commission's handling of trade policy. jhcho@yna.co.kr