Republican senators are making the case that President Donald Trump’s early-morning threat to slap 200% tariffs on wine and other alcohol from Europe would be a boon for American industry. Lawmakers representing California and Oregon — where the vast majority of American wine is made — couldn’t disagree more.
“It would hit the Pacific Northwest like a wrecking ball and I’m gonna fight it with everything I’ve got,” Sen. Ron Wyden told reporters Thursday.
“One out of four jobs revolves around international trade,” Wyden said of Oregon, saying the state is particularly vulnerable to trade wars. Oregon, California and Washington represent about 87% of American wine production.