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The increase in 200%American customs duties, if it was materialized, would be an earthquake for many producers of champagne, cognac and wine. With 3.8 billion euros, the United States represented almost 25% of alcohol exports in 2024.
If cognac is highly appreciated in the United States, Matthieu Augier, hand-to-Gondeville winegrower (Charente) is worried: if the spirits is 200% taxed in the United States, it will probably be a stop for its activity. “”The United States is 50% of our market. So tomorrow is 50% of our sales, our contracts with the trading houses that we serve that will collapse“, He said. These new customs duties are added to those decided in the fall by China, the other major cognac market.
Matthieu Augier has already lost 30% of his turnover. Cognac is a particularly vulnerable product for geopolitical tensions: 97% of production is exported. Wine also seduces across the Atlantic. In Alsace, the Hugel house regularly ships it. The explosion of customs prices could multiply by three the price of its bottles.
“”200%is confiscatory. It is to put to death the import of wine to the United States“, estimates Jean-Frédéric Hugel, commercial director of the house. The first taxes could apply in April.
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