The whole world is holding its breath, awaiting the United States' "liberation day," as President Trump has dubbed 2nd April. The tariff announcement is expected late in the evening (Italian time) at a specially organised event in the White House Rose Garden.
Tariffs between 10% and 25%
According to indications from the Wine Trade Alliance, "the administration may not seek to impose truly reciprocal tariffs between products or sectors, which would take time to determine, but will instead use a single rate for each country or trade bloc. Commerce Secretary Lutnick has informed the EU that reciprocal tariffs between 10% and 25% could now be imposed as early as 2nd April."
"We have spent the last few days in Washington, D.C., urging members of Congress and staff from the USTR and Commerce Department to keep tariffs away from wine," writes the group's president, Ben Aneff, in a letter. "Similarly, we have made it clear how catastrophic 2nd April would be for American businesses if tariffs were imposed without a notice period or an exception for goods already in transit." However, at present, there are no guarantees on this matter.
For EU wine, losses of one hundred million euros per week
Looking on the bright side, the 200% tariffs on European wines appear to have been avoided (although caution is needed, as Trump has accustomed us to unpredictability). A small consolation, given that any entry tariff would affect the final export price and could heavily impact already stagnant US wine consumption.
The past two weeks of uncertainty have already caused a halt to shipments of Italian (and, in general, European) wines to the United States. "Even if the 200% tariffs on EU wines have not been applied, the closure of the US wine market to our wines is already a reality, as importers have frozen all shipments out of fear of potential tariffs," notes CEEV Secretary-General Ignacio Sanchez Recarte, who estimates that losses for EU wineries amount to 100 million euros per week.
Storage - export - Photo by Ognjen Odobasic from Pixabay
Europe’s plan
For its part, the European Union has stated that it will not stand idly by. "The goal is to find a negotiated solution," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, adding that "Europe did not start this dispute. We do not necessarily want to take retaliatory measures, but we have a solid plan to do so if necessary." Even the postponement of potential tariffs on American whiskey until mid-April is moving in this direction.
US tariffs: here are the Italian wines most at risk, from Pinot Grigio to Chianti Classico
"With U.S. tariffs, buffalo mozzarella will cost almost double. We're ruined." The outburst of an Italian chef in Miami
"With US tariffs, extremely high risk for Italian wine: strike deals with buyers immediately to absorb extra costs." UIV’s proposal
Meloni: "Tariffs? If necessary, there will be consequences. Heavy impact on agri-food sector"
The Government honours the greats of Italian cuisine, from Bottura to Pepe. Massari: "Thank you, Meloni, the only one who listened to us"
