Industry representatives warned that a 200 percent tax on European wines and spirits would halt shipments to the United States and wipe €4 billion off France’s trade balance.

The owner of one of France's top Bordeaux wine chateaux hopes U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of 200% tariffs on European wine is just posturing because the impact would be devastating if not. Trump on Thursday threatened to slap a 200% tariff on European wines and other alcoholic products unless the European Union scraps its planned tax on American whiskey.

President Donald Trump threatened the EU—and French wine and champagne in particular—with a 200 percent tariff.