Officials and trade leaders in France have rebuked the announcement of potential US import tariffs on Champagne and other sparkling wines, as well as on many types of cheese.
The USA has warned they may introduce import tariffs of ‘up to 100%’ on some products in retaliation for France’s digital services tax.
That would be in addition to $7.5bn of tariffs enacted on 18 October on a range of European goods imports, including still wines from France, Spain, Germany and the UK, due to a dispute over aerospace subsidies.
‘We of course deplore this announcement,’ said Antoine Leccia, president of the French wine and spirit export body.
‘After the dispute over Airbus, this targets French wines again, and always in the context of a dispute between France and the United States that does not concern our sector,’ he said.