The Assembly of European Wine Regions (AREV) takes note of the decision of the administration of the President of the United States to introduce a 20% tariff on spirits.
The customs duties applied to alcohol have always been a major issue for the wine industry. The members of the AREV express their deep concern about this unfair measure, which further burdens an already struggling sector.
The AREV calls for a negotiated agreement with, at heart, the preservation of the European wine industry, which contributes to Europe’s global influence and prosperity. Aware that the margins for negotiation are particularly complex, it calls on the European Commission to defend the interests of all stakeholders in the European Union, and to show the utmost wisdom in its responses to the current instrumentalization of customs duties as an economic weapon.
During the work of the High Level Group on Wine (HLG), the AREV had stressed the need to deploy a support fund for the wine sector in the event of commercial destabilization. We are today reiterating this proposal with conviction so that this fund is provided with the necessary resources to provide rapid and effective assistance to the professionals affected.
Franck Leroy, President of AREV alert: “The trade war only creates losers. European wine-growing needs stability and security, not to be sacrificed on the altar of trade tensions. The future of a key part of the European economy is at stake. We call on the US administration to return to the negotiating table in the face of the risk of trade escalation, which would have disastrous consequences for the entire European and American economy.
