A French Minister was quick to fire back at Donald Trump after he threatened the European Union to avoid serious tariff changes.
It seems Trump isn’t really worried about upsetting his friends across the pond as he recently hit out at longtime allies in the EU.
Since he returned to the White House earlier this year, Trump hasn’t been shy about playing hardball with the US’ allies as he has repeatedly threatened tariff increases to Canada and Mexico as well as the EU.
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In a post today (March 13) on Truth Social, Trump threatened to put 200 percent tariffs on champagne as a retaliatory act against the bloc.
He wrote: “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.
“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.
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“This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”
A few hours later French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin took to Twitter to respond to Trump.
In a translate post, he wrote: “D. Trump is escalating the trade war he chose to unleash.
“France remains determined to respond with the European Commission and our partners.
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“We will not give in to threats and will always protect our sectors.”
Trump's 200 percent tariffs threat comes as the EU commission increased taxes in response to the US after they inflicted 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
The EU said its 50 percent levy applies to €26 billion (around $28 billion) of US goods, this includes alcohol like bourbon whiskey.
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Saint-Martin’s comments echo what the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in regard to Trump’s idea of a relationship between the US and the EU.
In a statement, she said: “The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Speaking on the US’ 25 percent tariffs on metal, von der Leyen added: “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers.
“These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States. The European Union must act to protect consumers and business.”
Topics: Alcohol, Donald Trump, Europe, France, Politics, World News
Gerrard Kaonga