In a chain of tweets aimed at French President Emmanuel Macron Tuesday morning, President Trump claimed France’s wine tariffs were “Not fair,” and “must change.” The thing is, France doesn’t even have its own wine tariffs, as it’s part of the European Union (E.U.).
On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
According to the California-based Wine Institute, the E.U.’s import tariff on U.S. wine ranges from $0.11 to $0.29 per 750ml bottle. The U.S., meanwhile, charges between $0.05 and $0.14. While E.U. tariffs are higher than those America imposes, they do not make it “very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France,” as the President incorrectly claimed.
Trump’s remarks about “France’s” tariffs came after a much-criticized visit to the country, which left his relationship with the French President at a standoff.
And while he claimed “France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S.,” it’s a subject the U.S. President knows very little about. Trump famously prefers soft drinks to wine, despite owning a Virginia Winery.
Twitter users were quick to call out the President on the numerous inaccuracies in his Tweet.
Ohhhh daaaaamn coming after the wine…
Problem for Trump is this: There is more than enough great French wine to fulfill the desires of the French. Not sure that is the case with the U.S.
Also Trump has never been a drinker, so wondering who he trusts for his wine assessment. https://t.co/efNVkoBbLc
— Charli James (@charli) November 13, 2018
To make this more confusing, the Trump administration is pushing a tax change that it says would remove an unfair break for wine imports.
But US wine exporters say they would actually be hurt. https://t.co/a5vxkCckHf https://t.co/HUzE5soI8Y
— Richard Rubin (@RichardRubinDC) November 13, 2018
It should not surprise anyone that Lying Trump is just making this up, and it's not true, and he's a lying liar.
From Wine Institute: "The EU import tariff per 750 bottle can range from $0.11 to 0.29, depending on the type alcoholic content of the wine." https://t.co/HPS5uB3WvH https://t.co/1wGC5rE58w
— W. Blake Gray (@wblakegray) November 13, 2018
Trump could use a glass of Bordeaux, if you ask us.
