It’s been a tumultuous two months for the wine industry. On March 13, Trump threatened 200 percent tariffs on European wine, Champagne and spirits if Europe went ahead with a tariff on American whiskey (which itself was retaliation for the U.S. aluminum and steel tariffs). On April 2, “Liberation Day,” Trump then announced a 20 percent additional tariff (on top of the across-the-board 10 percent) on the European Union to go into effect April 9. But a few days later, he suspended all additional tariffs for nine days except those involving China...and those are now under negotiation.
During this period, many wine importers have paused imports because of the uncertainty. “He didn’t let us know if the wine on the water would be tariff free or was he going to tag everything? Was it going to be 200 percent? Was it going to be 50 percent? Would it be 10 percent?” notes Stuckey. The administration “was not giving American wine importers clarity on what was going to happen.”
In wine, or in anything else. Still, readers pour out plenty of thoughts on the Westword Facebook post of Helen Xu's story. Says Peter:
Ten percent on $100 is $10. If you drink $100 bottles of wine, then $10 will not stop you.Wonders Blaine:
So, China is wine country?Responds Jessica:
Trump has authorized tariffs on European wine.Suggests Tony:
So buy local wine...problem solved.Notes Stephanie:
There won't be any item or any person unaffected by what's about to happen.Replies Sebastian:
Not me. I buy only American.Counters Graeme:
It will affect literally everything we buy. Buying local won’t matter, when they import inputs and materials. This will do nothing but fuck over the middle class. The $154 billion in extra federal spending will make it worse.What do you think about the tariffs. If you drink wine, where does it come from? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
