“It’s an additional constraint that is absolutely, absolutely not needed.”breathes Thierry Daulhiac. The Périgord wine grower is worried about the consequences of the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United Statesthis Wednesday, November 6. The implementation of a 25% customs tax on French wines in 2019 had reduces the sales of all Bergeracois wine growers which export to the United States. They are worried that Trump's return to power also signals the return of this tax.
“We already have a lot of problems that pile up”
Thierry Daulhiac exports a fifth of the wines to the United States which he produces at Château Le Payral in Razac-de-Saussignac (Dordogne). This is its first market after sales in France. Five years ago, following the introduction of the Trump tax, its three American importers reduced their orders. “If he puts back this tax, he will make a mess again in our affairs. We must not dream, competition in wine is international. French wines are not necessarily the most competitive. We may have arguments , with additional taxes, it will no longer be enough. It will give space to wines from other continents, or especially to wines from his country, that is in Trump's interest.explains the winegrower who took over the family estate in 1992.
The customs duties, a retaliatory measure in the trade conflict between Boeing and Airbus at the time, had been suspended by Joe Biden upon his arrival at the head of the United States at the beginning of 2021. If Trump brings it up to date in 2025, this would only worsen the difficulties of the Bergerac vineyards, already “in a context of crisis”describes Thierry Daulhiac. “We have a lot of cumulative problems: climatic hazards since 2017, therefore already lower production, very clearly increasing production costs, competitiveness and profitability achieved, a drop in consumption”lists the Perigord winegrower, who explains that the return of the customs tax would be an additional difficulty that would be difficult to face. And no question of lowering margins, “already so reduced, sometimes even non-existent”.
Banking on cheap Bergerac wines to get by?
The vice-president of the Federation of Bergerac and Duras wines, Eric Chadourne, also announces “worry” of the vineyard following the re-election of Donald Trump. “The consequences are very long-term. If we are less competitive, we are not irreplaceable. And getting back into position takes a very long time.”Thierry Daulhiac already fears. About fifteen kilometers west of these vines, another winegrower is less worried. And for good reason, Quentin Deffarge, at the head of Château Moulin Caresse with his brother Benjamin in Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh, only exports a small part of his wines to the United States, around 5%. But he plans to develop this American market. An ambition that does not really fit with the political and economic context.
“It’s certain that it’s not going to help us develop there in the coming months and years. But hey, the United States still remains the world’s leading market for wine consumption. For the moment, the Bergerac wines are too little visible there. I think it’s a direction we have to go in any case.”unfolds Quentin Deffarge. The winegrower even thinks he can do well in the event of the reinstatement of a customs tax on French wines. “We have our cards to play with wines that are still quite affordable. If it's a percentage of taxes, taking 10% of €10 is better than 10% of €100”adds Quentin Deffarge.
