What sauce does French industry be really taxed? While Donald Trump announced customs duties to the tune of 15% concerning France, Europe was putting in order of battle and France organized this Wednesday, July 30, a meeting in Bercy with the industries and “economic actors” which will be affected by these taxes.
First, the wine sector which risks taking these customs duties on its own. She believes that a “disaster is avoided” with the agreement concluded between Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump but asks An exemption from customs duties for spirits, as for wines.
And according to Laurent Saint-Martin, minister in charge of foreign trade, France works there. “”What we push very clearly, It is an exemption for the sector (…) wines and spirits, in addition to aeronautics“, said the minister at the exit of the meeting about sectors that would be exempt from customs duties.
There could be an agreement ‘0 for 0’ for spirits
Message from the sector heard, therefore. In a press release published Monday, July 28, the Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS) reacted after the announcements of the agreements found between the EU and the USA, fixing a tax at 15%. “The disaster is avoided but the next few days will be decisive for the French wines and spirits sector“, Declares, to which all French interprofessions (CNIV) and the sector join. “The agreement reached is a step: it avoids the application of rights of 30% from August 1 which would have been a real disaster for the sector”welcomes Gabriel Picard, the president of the FEVS.
The Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, also present at this meeting, has argued that “what In all probability, there could be an agreement ‘0 for 0’ for spirits, but for wines, we know nothing about it.“” I am reduced to a level of information that is not far from yours “she said to journalists at a press conference. France exports around 4 billion euros in wines and spirits Towards the United States, the Minister of Agriculture said.
By adding them to the billion euros in exports linked to the food industry, taxes of 15% on European products, according to the known conditions of the agreement found on Sunday, would represent 800 million euros in additional taxes, recalled Ms. Genevard. “The level of concern in the sector is maximum.”
Asked about the possibility that the State comes to the aid of the sectors, in particular wines and spirits, particularly impacted by the new customs of customs, Ms. Genevard replied “That before talking about help, we must already talk about the terms of this agreement, (…) which is not yet signed.” “But the state has never shited in its support for the sectors”she added.
