The 25% tariff will be applied to bottled table wine from France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
“We are concerned that this action will lead to increased tariffs on U.S. wines and set back our efforts to continue growing U.S. wine exports,” said Bobby Koch, Wine Institute President and CEO.
The EU is the largest export market for U.S. wines, reaching $469 million (€424 million) in 2018. Since the early 2000s, Wine Institute has supported the position that wine should not be targeted for retaliation in trade disputes involving products other than wine and has urged all governments to adhere to this principle.
California represents more than 80 percent of U.S. wine production and 95 percent of U.S. wine exports, Wine Institute said.