Donald Trump and Guy Verhofstadt (Image: GETTY)
erupted at “madman” Donald Trump after he threatened a 200% tariff on EU alcohol. The US President warned he could slap the huge levy on European wine, Champagne and spirits in response to Brussels’s new tax on American bourbon.
In a post on X, Belgian MEP Mr Verhofstadt said: “Only one response to this madman who wants to destroy the global economy. Belgian Beer on all EU shelves (The best anyway). No more unnecessary American IPAs. French Champagne, as it should be.”
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In reference to , the diehard Europhile added: “Italian Grappa. (Scottish whisky, maybe, too if the Brits come back! ;-)”
Mr Verhofstadt’s comments come amid fears of a trade war between the US and the EU.
Mr Trump has been threatening to impose tariffs on the bloc to balance what he has called a “massive” trade deficit.
After criticising the EU yesterday for not buying more cars from the US, he today signalled he would impose a 200% tariff on EU alcoholic drinks.
Brussels had already hit back at Mr Trump’s global 25% tariff on steel and aluminium with levies on goods including Bourbon.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said the EU was “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world” and had put a “nasty” 50% tariff on US whiskey.
Mr Trump said: “If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the US will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER EU REPRESENTED COUNTRIES.”
Prime Minister Sir today defended his decision not to hit back at Mr Trump’s tariffs.