President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened 200% tariffs on alcoholic products from the European Union, saying the import taxes would come “shortly” unless the E.U. backs down from its plan to hit American whiskey with a 50% levy on April 1.

Alcohol appears to be one of the earliest casualties of President Trump's trade war, one he escalated Thursday with a threat to impose massive levies on European wine and Champagne. Why it matters: The alcohol industries may not have had the same influence in the tariff fight so far as automakers,

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to slap a 200% tariff on all wines and other alcoholic products coming out of Europe if the European Union does not scrap its planned tax on American whiskey.