Pittsburgh wine bars react to possible tariffs on EU wine, champagne

The president says a 200% tariff could be coming

"I really hope it doesn't come into fruition because it would be really unfortunate," said Jordan Stasinowski, co-owner and wine director of Mary's Vine in Rankin.

President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account Thursday morning, saying,

"The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky. If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S."

But local wine businesses here in Pittsburgh are worried.

"We do carry an awful lot of wine imported from Spain, so that would be quite devastating," said David Williams, beverage manager at Barcelona Wine Bar in downtown Pittsburgh.

The threat of tariffs on goods from other countries is nothing new for local area bars and restaurants. They've been stocking up since these tariffs began looming.

"We're trying to hedge our bets with regards to the impending tariffs. So in the case of Mexico, we stocked up on tequila," Stasinowski said.

But with a 200% tariff, a price increase is likely.

"A 200 percent tariff obviously means a drastic increase in prices, so that just means we have to seek out more supply in terms of being able to reach those more price-approachable, by-the-glass price points," Stasinowski said.

And businesses say tough decisions will have to be made so it's ultimately the consumer that doesn't feel the heat in their wallets.

"A lot of vendors, of course, being in Spain, might have their own terms that we would have to agree by -- kind of coming to an agreement, a consensus as to what will work under this new plan," Williams said.

Again, Trump has not said that these tariffs will indeed take effect.

RANKIN, Pa. —