Keep wine out of unrelated trade disputes, wine trade body urges
EU wine companies are calling to maintain wine out of the on-going EU-US steel and aluminium trade dispute. The sector strongly opposes the inclusion of US wines on the EU list of targeted products.
On 12 March, in response to the imposition of new, US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, the Commission has launched countermeasures on US imports into the EU. The Commission is now seeking information and views in relation to these countermeasures.
“We are concerned to see US wines included in the EU list of potential products which could be subject to future retaliation measures,” Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins wrote in a statement. “We are dismayed, that once again, wine, alongside other agri-food products, would be be held hostage of an unrelated trade dispute.”
EU-US wine trade is vital for the sustainability of the wine sector on both sides of the Atlantic and should be preserved and supported. Retaliatory tariffs create economic uncertainty and result in layoffs, deferred investments and price increases across entire supply chain. Ultimately, it is businesses and consumers in both the EU and the US who will bear the costs.
“We urge the European Commission and member States to protect the economic vitality and diversity of the wine sector by removing wine from the final list of retaliation,” Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins added. “Wine should not be used as leverage in unrelated trade disputes.”
