France is bracing for potential tariffs from the United States targeting its wine, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks, as stated by Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on Thursday.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump suggested a significant 200-percent tariff on these goods from France and other EU nations.

Minister Saint-Martin asserted, "We will not yield to threats," underscoring France's determination to respond to any punitive actions taken against it.

This statement illustrates a preparedness to enter a trade conflict that might further exacerbate transatlantic tensions.

In a related matter, the French association for wine and spirits exporters (FEVS) condemned the situation, noting that their business interests are at risk.

They pointed out that the European Commission recently imposed tariffs on US whiskey, putting them in a challenging position amidst the ongoing trade disputes.

FEVS president Nicolas Ozanam voiced his dissatisfaction, stating that the organization is "exhausted from being continually sacrificed for issues that do not pertain to us" and called on the EU Commission to adopt a more pragmatic stance regarding these issues.

President Trump labeled the EU's current 50-percent tariff on US whiskey as "unpleasant" and called for its swift removal.

In a post on the Truth Social platform, he cautioned that if the whiskey tariff is not rescinded, the US would impose substantial tariffs on all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic beverages from France and other EU states.

This development marks a critical moment in ongoing trade negotiations between the US and the EU, shedding light on the complexities of international trade relations and the serious concerns of impacted industries.