Trump tariff rises: which American items will be worst hit and when?

The prices of key supermarket products in France are set to rise as the EU brings in retaliatory tariffs against the United States. 

Staple goods including fruit juices, rice and meat have all been singled out for import tariffs by the EU in a list seen by French public broadcaster France Info and global media Politico.

Goods worth up to €22 billion entering the single market from the US will be hit by tariffs of either 10% or 25%.

The tariffs are still formally subject to a vote in the EU parliament today (Wednesday April 9) however are all but certain to pass with the bloc in widespread agreement over the measures.

These tariffs, coming into force progressively across April and May, are a response to US tariffs brought in against the EU on steel and aluminium. 

“This list has been drawn up to achieve two goals: to give us maximum leverage in our negotiations with our American partners, but also to cause minimum damage to our single European market,” said EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill. 

Food, cigarettes… but not bourbon

Whereas the EU was hit by tariffs of 20% in the manufacturing sector, these return tariffs are wider, impacting both manufacturing (tariffs on iron and steel are included) as well as luxuries (cigarettes and makeup) and foodstuffs. 

On April 15, tariffs on corn, rice, vegetables and fruit juices originating from the US will come into force.

This will be followed by a second round of tariffs on May 16, hitting poultry, beef and white chocolate among others.

A final round of tariffs are slated for December 1, 2025, which include almonds and soybeans. 

The measures will disproportionately affect ‘red’ states that backed US president Donald Trump in the November 2024 election, in particular Louisiana, which exports large volumes of soybeans to the EU.

Other red states and their exports hit hard by specific tariffs include Arizonan ice cream, Alabaman electric blankets, bow ties from Florida (but not silk bow ties from California) and washing machines from Wisconsin.

In addition, tariffs on a variety of other products including eggs, diamonds, sausages, cranberries, boats and other vehicles, dental floss are all included.

One notable absence from the list is American bourbon and other spirits, produced in several southern red states.

France and Italy specifically asked for these to be withheld, to avoid potential retaliatory tariffs against Franco-Italian alcohol such as wine – a big business for several vineyards in France. Irish ministers were also hesitant due to a strong Irish whiskey market in the US. 

President Donald Trump previously threatened 200% tariffs on EU alcohols, including French wine and champagne, if American liquor was subject to tariffs by the bloc. 

The transatlantic booze trade is profitable for both the US and EU, reaching a high of €6.7 billion in 2018. 

There will also be no tariffs on dairy products.

How are shoppers affected, and what next?

Some products – such as orange juices – are clearly labelled as American products in store, however in several cases these raw goods are used in the manufacturing of final products in the EU, and it may not be immediately aware to consumers that US materials are used. 

This, and the general rise in price as producers potentially look for alternatives, may see the prices of even EU products rise in response.

It is unclear how the US plans to respond to these tariffs, although considering how they have responded to retaliatory tariffs brought in by China, an escalation of the trade war is likely. 

Brussels is allegedly open to ending tariffs – at least for major key goods in certain sectors – and proposed a de-escalation to the US.

However it was reportedly refused with Mr Trump demanding the EU purchase an extra €350 billion in energy products – which he claims would cancel out the bloc’s trade deficit – to agree to an end.

If tensions climb, the EU has a lethal weapon in the form of tariffs on US tertiary services, however this looks set to be a last-ditch option and would see widespread disruption for essentially all the bloc’s inhabitants.

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