EU Wine Industry Urges Exclusion from US Trade Dispute Over Steel and Aluminum

The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) has issued a press release urging the exclusion of wine from the ongoing EU-US trade dispute over steel and aluminum. The EU wine sector is concerned about the potential inclusion of US wines on the EU's list of products targeted for retaliatory tariffs. This list is part of the EU's response to new US tariffs on EU steel and aluminum imports, announced on March 12. The European Commission is currently gathering feedback on these countermeasures.

The CEEV emphasizes that the EU-US wine trade is crucial for the sustainability of the wine industry on both sides of the Atlantic. They argue that wine should not be used as a bargaining chip in disputes unrelated to the sector. The imposition of retaliatory tariffs could lead to economic instability, resulting in job losses, delayed investments, and increased prices throughout the supply chain. Ultimately, both businesses and consumers in the EU and the US would face the consequences.

The CEEV calls on the European Commission and EU member states to safeguard the economic health and diversity of the wine sector by excluding wine from the final list of retaliatory measures. They stress that wine should not be leveraged in unrelated trade conflicts.

The CEEV represents wine companies in the European Union, covering a wide range of products including still wines, aromatized wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines, and other vine products. The organization unites 25 national bodies, and its members are responsible for producing and marketing the majority of quality European wines. These wines, both with and without geographical indications, account for over 90% of European wine exports.

The ongoing trade dispute between the EU and the US has raised concerns across various sectors. The inclusion of wine in the list of potential retaliatory products highlights the broader impact of such disputes on industries not directly related to the original conflict. The CEEV's appeal underscores the importance of maintaining stable trade relations for the benefit of both economies and consumers.