US Rushes to Hoard European Wine, Cheese As Trump Takes Office
January 20, 2025 | Source: EURACTIV | by Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro
EU wine exports to the US surged in November 2024, coinciding with Trump’s election victory. Compared to the same month in 2023, imports rose 18% in volume and 19% in value – both record highs for any November.
Italy, one of the EU’s top wine exporters, saw a significant boost. Sparkling wine shipments to the US jumped 41% that month, while still wines rose 17%. According to the Italian Wine Union (UIV), this is the first post-election data reflecting the rush to buy ahead of looming tariffs.
“The good news,” said UIV president Lamberto Frescobaldi in a press release, “is that numbers confirm that Americans are not willing to give up our wines, especially sparkling ones.”
“The bad news is that the tariff threat is becoming increasingly imminent.” The US represents 24% of Italy’s wine export market by value.