Planas on Trump's threat to impose 200% tariffs on EU wine, champagne and spirits: "Our pulse will not tremble"

ACN/Barcelona - The Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, called for "serenity and firmness" on Thursday in the face of the threat by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to impose 200% tariffs on agri-food products such as wine, champagne and spirits. In a media briefing, Planas recalled that for the time being "it is an announcement like any other" and that "the important thing is the facts". However, he made it clear that if the tariffs are ultimately applied, the European Commission will respond. "The will, as always, is to talk, negotiate and understand each other, but we will not waver in the defense of our products," said Planas, who added that "no one wins in trade wars."

Planas recalled that the EC has already responded to the United States' tariffs on steel and aluminum, with a total value of 26 billion euros as of April.

According to the minister, in the case of agri-food products, Spain sold 2.3 billion euros to the United States, of which around 1 billion euros corresponded to olive oil and 335 million to wine.

The Spanish Minister of Agriculture assured that he is in "permanent contact" with the wine sector and the entire agri-food industry.

This Thursday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, threatened to impose 200% tariffs on "wine, champagne and other spirits" from the European Union, in response to the trade counter-offensive announced yesterday by the European Commission. In a message on his social network 'The Truth', the American leader demanded that Brussels eliminate the "unpleasant" 50% levy that the EU is considering on whiskey.

"If this tariff is not eliminated immediately, the United States will soon impose a 200% tariff on all wines, champagnes and alcoholic products from France and other countries of the European Union," he said.