European Union Seeks U.S. Tariff Exemptions for Wine and Spirits

The European Commission is preparing to ask Washington to exempt a broad list of European exports from the 15% tariff set under the Turnberry trade deal, including wine, sparkling wine, brandy, cider, beer and a wide range of spirits, according to documents reviewed by Euractiv and Euronews.

The request covers products worth about €150 billion in EU exports to the United States, Matthias Jørgensen, a European Commission trade official, told members of the European Parliament’s trade committee on Tuesday. He said it was still too early to know how the talks would develop, but that the Commission would pursue them “with determination.”

For the drinks business, the move could carry direct consequences on both sides of the Atlantic. Wine, sparkling wine, beer and spirits are among the EU’s best-known food and beverage exports to the U.S., and any exemption from the 15% duty could affect shelf prices, importer margins and purchasing plans for distributors, retailers and hospitality buyers. If no carveout is granted, the tariff would continue to shape pricing and sourcing decisions in one of the world’s most important beverage trade corridors.

According to the proposal described by the two outlets, Brussels argues that it has already fulfilled its side of the Turnberry agreement by removing tariffs on hundreds of American industrial and agricultural products as of July 1. The Commission is now asking the United States to apply its standard tariff rates instead of the 15% levy to selected EU goods.

The list spans hundreds of items, from agricultural products to industrial machinery and medical supplies. In food and drink, it includes several high-profile exports long associated with European sales in the American market. Along with wine and sparkling wine, Brussels wants exemptions for brandy, cider and beer. The spirits category includes whiskey, gin, rum, vodka and liqueurs. Those products had previously enjoyed duty-free access to the U.S. before tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump’s earlier trade actions.

The proposal also includes olive oil and olives, pasta, truffles, mushrooms and cured pork products. In dairy, Roquefort and pecorino are specifically named, along with a broader category covering sheep’s milk cheeses sold in whole forms, including those suitable for grating. Fishery products listed include tuna, smoked salmon, sea bass and octopus.

Beyond food and beverages, the Commission’s request extends to agricultural machinery, industrial robots, electrical equipment, semiconductor tools and chemicals. Medical goods on the list range from surgical sutures and wound dressings to ostomy devices, diagnostic kits, dental cements, laboratory glassware and operating tables.

The Commission says the products were chosen because they support U.S. reindustrialization goals, serve key constituencies such as farmers, advance energy or security interests or are considered difficult to replace. Euronews reported that Brussels also sees some of the goods as economically important for the bloc or in limited domestic supply in the United States.

The Turnberry agreement was reached in Scotland in 2025 after weeks of trade tensions between Brussels and Washington. Under that arrangement, EU exports became subject to a 15% U.S. tariff while the European Union agreed to eliminate its own tariffs on American industrial goods. A joint statement issued afterward said both sides would consider restoring pre-2025 tariff levels for products important to their economies and value chains. Euronews said those earlier tariffs averaged about 3.3%.

The current push for exemptions comes after months of pressure from EU member states on the Commission to secure better treatment for major exports to the American market. France, Italy and Spain have been especially active in seeking more favorable tariff terms for wine, according to Euronews.

Washington had refused to begin product-specific exemption talks before the EU formally implemented its part of the Turnberry deal. With Brussels having lifted its duties on U.S. goods at the start of this month, European officials now appear to believe there is a stronger basis for pressing their case.

Jørgensen also told lawmakers that future negotiations remain uncertain and that broader trade tensions have not disappeared. According to Euronews, he warned that EU-U.S. trade relations would remain at “high risk of volatility” despite the Turnberry accord. He also said discussions on steel and aluminum were likely to be difficult because those sectors remain subject to 50% U.S. tariffs and are treated by Washington as tied to national security and domestic production.

For beverage producers in Europe and importers in the United States, that uncertainty matters now because contracts for wine and spirits often depend on forward pricing, shipping schedules and seasonal demand. A return to lower tariff rates could ease pressure on exporters trying to protect market share in the U.S., while continued duties could keep costs elevated across categories from still wine and sparkling wine to beer and distilled spirits.

The Commission has said it reserves the right to amend or expand its proposal as negotiations continue. That leaves open the possibility that additional food or beverage categories could be added later if talks with Washington move forward. For now, Brussels is seeking relief for some of its most visible consumer exports at a moment when tariff policy remains central to transatlantic trade strategy.