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,

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if the European Union goes forward with a planned 50% tariff on American whiskey. Wine sellers and importers said a tariff of that size would essentially shut down the European wine business in the U.S.