PARIS: French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou responded defiantly to the United States' threats of imposing significant tariffs on wine and champagne imports from European Union nations.

Speaking at a trade forum on Thursday, Bayrou remarked, "It is crucial for us Europeans to demonstrate our identity and that we will not succumb to such threats." This comment follows US President Donald Trump's indication of potential 200-percent tariffs on European alcoholic beverages, which include wine and champagne.

These proposed tariffs are a reaction to the EU's intention to impose tariffs on American whiskey, underscoring an escalating tit-for-tat trade conflict that has intensified since the Trump administration took office.

The situation underscores the growing tensions in transatlantic trade relations as both sides confront complex economic and policy challenges.