Donald Trump has taken the pressure up a notch. This time, the target is wines, champagnes and other spirits from European countries, including France. At stake: a potential 200% tax on the entry of these products onto American soil. The threat was made on Thursday, March 13, via a message broadcast on its Truth Social network.

"The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World... has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky. 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," wrote the American president, accusing, once again, the European bloc of having been "formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States."

This latest threat from Trump, who has been firing on all cylinders since his return to the White House on January 20, waging an unprecedented trade battle, came in response to the publication the previous day by Brussels of a list of American products that Europe was prepared to tax. That threat of retaliation itself came after the US's introduction, on Wednesday, of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries, including the EU.

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