[vc_row njt-role-user-roles=”administrator,armember”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
In the Loire, winegrowers in the Greater Roanne area sent a case of wine to the new president of the United States, Joe Biden, a welcome gift that conceals a request from the wine and spirits sector.
The agglomeration of Roanne decided to offer a case of wine to President Joe Biden in order to congratulate him, but also to encourage him to reconsider the taxation of French wines and spirits imposed by the Trump administration.
“This is a way to congratulate Joe Biden,” said Yves Nicolin, president of the Roannais agglomeration. “But we also wanted to send him a message. We hope that it will draw his attention to the tax that was put in place by Donald Trump, and which is hurting French winegrowers“.
The six-bottle case of wine from the winemakers of Roanne was sent to the White House by the winemakers of the agglomeration, who have been in great difficulty since the imposition of the tax on French wines and spirits by Donald Trump‘s administration, in response to French President Emmanuel Macron‘s wish to impose a tax on GAFAs.
Three weeks before the end of his mandate, Donald Trump had reinforced this punitive tax following a new conflict with France concerning the aeronautics giants. The tax, which initially applied to still (non-sparkling) wines of less than 14 degrees in bottles of less than two liters, was extended to bulk wines, wines over 14 degrees, and wine-based spirits such as cognac or Armagnac.
These customs duties of 25% on the export of French wines and spirits have strongly impacted the sector. Analysts estimate that exports of French wines and spirits to the United States are expected to fall by one billion euros per year with these measures, crippling a market already suffering the consequences of the health crisis.
The case of wine offered to Joe Biden is accompanied by a small letter in which the winegrowers mention the difficulties brought by this tax on the whole sector, and ask him to reconsider this decision of the previous administration. They also invite him to come and visit the Côte Roannaise and its wineries.
“The winegrowers of the coast export little to the United States. We are not affected by taxation. But we liked to take part in this wink,” explains Edgar Pluchot, head of the Forez-Roannais association, in charge of choosing the bottles for the president.
It is thus five bottles of red wine, and one rosé, from the estates of La Paroisse, Serol, La Rochette, Retour aux sources, Désormière and Domaine des Palais, that President Biden will be able to taste, and which, perhaps, will make him change his mind.
Read also > COVID-19: THE NEW MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS SECTOR
Photo à la Une : © Press[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
