New issue: Selectus Wines April 2025

More fun and games with Donald Trump

As is the case every year, the wine industry is caught up in the whirlwind of fairs, some of which have already taken place (Barcelona Wine Week, Wine Paris, Prowein, etc.) and others scheduled for the coming weeks (Vinitaly, Fenavin, etc.).

But the real talk in the industry is the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump. His decisions (or whims) regarding import tariffs on exporting countries could put the wine sector (among others) at serious risk, given that the U.S. is a big importer of wine.

At a press lunch hosted by the Cava D.O. just before this issue went to press, its president warned that a potential 200% increase in import tariffs would have a significant impact on sales. He pointed out that the U.S. accounts for about 18 million bottles of cava sales, or about 8% of the total, making it the third-largest market in the world for the appellation.

The big question is whether Trump will follow through on the increase he announced in March, and whether he fully understands the impact it would have on his own country's wine producers, who rely on exports beyond U.S. borders. One thing seems certain: Europe, as one of the world's leading wine-producing regions, and especially its politicians, will not sit back and do nothing. A response in the form of higher import tariffs on U.S. products is very likely. If these measures are enacted, U.S. wine and spirit producers won't be happy, as they will face a decline in their own exports to global markets.

But we will see how this all unfolds in the coming weeks and months…

Until then, sit back and enjoy this latest issue of Selectus Wines.