The president of the National Association of Wine and Spirits Traders and Exporters (ANCEVE), Paulo Amorim, said today that “the US has stopped orders for Portuguese wines and wines from Europe” in the context of the tariffs announced by the President of the United States.
Amorim fears that, if the tariffs are implemented, “the majority of the losses will be borne by wine producers,” which he considers a “gigantic injustice.” In 2024, the US was the second-largest importer of Portuguese wines, with exports totaling €102.1 million, reflecting a 2% growth from the previous year.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting with 16 other sector associations, Paulo Amorim stated, “The uncertainty is terrible, and with the uncertainty, the distribution chain in the United States has stopped orders for Portuguese wines and wines from Europe. Therefore, at the moment, we are facing a terrible problem and we are not able to sell.”
In March 2025, former President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 200% tariff on European wines, including those from Portugal, in retaliation for the European Union’s proposed 50% tariff on American bourbon. This announcement led to widespread uncertainty among US importers, prompting many to suspend or cancel orders to avoid potential financial losses if the tariffs were implemented while shipments were in transit.
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” for 90 days, which included the European Union. Yet, although the United States has not officially suspended wine imports from Portugal, recent developments have significantly disrupted Portuguese wine exports to the US.
The European Association of Wine Companies (CEEV) also reported that US importers have halted imports from the EU, resulting in a loss of €100 million per week for European wine producers. Portuguese winegrowers, particularly in the Douro region, have been affected, with several orders suspended or canceled pending clarification on the tariff situation.
While there is no formal suspension of Portuguese wine imports by the US, the threat of substantial tariffs has effectively stalled trade, causing significant disruption to the industry. In response, the Portuguese government has launched a €10 billion support package to mitigate the impact of the tariffs on exports to the US.
The Portuguese government has also criticized the proposed tariffs, highlighting the adverse effects they could have on both economies and emphasizing the importance of resolving trade disputes through dialogue.
PAJ/Staff
