American importers store the Italian prosecco as coverage against possible tariffs

By Paolo Santalucia, Associated Press

Rome (AP) – American importers have been storing Italian bubbling prosecco as coverage against the impact of the possible European Union threatened tariffs By President Donald Trump, they show the data of the wine industry.

US imports of Italian foaming wine, 90% of that priecco, shot at 41% in November, after Trump’s choice, far exceeding consumers’ demand as importers filled the pipe for future sales , according to the union of the Italian Wine Trade Association.

“It was quite natural at the end of the year to make additional shipments,” said the president of the Association of Commerce, Lamberto Frescobaldi, given the uncertainty about whether the tariffs would affect Italian wines or not, and the probability that consumers will reduce such luxuries If the tariffs made them too expensive.

“Can we survive without a glass of wine? Yes. Wine is a pleasure, ” Frescobaldi told Associated Press this week.

Trump said last weekend that would impose “very soon” tariffs to the EU, but did not provide any details. He put import tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, but then He delayed them for 30 days. A new rate about China imports It entered into force on Tuesday.

Italian wines were not beaten by tariffs during Trump’s first presidency. However, Prosecco importers and distributors are taking precautionary measures now to protect the market.

Italy exports almost a quarter of its wine to the United States, leaving the sector more exposed to possible tariffs than any other Italian export, according to the Trade Federation. Last year, Wine exports from Italy to the US.