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President Donald J. Trump has threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on alcohol imports from the European Union, escalating tensions in an ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Brussels.

Mr. Trump’s remarks came in response to the European Union’s plans to levy tariffs on American-produced whiskey, a move intended to counteract the United States’ duties on steel and aluminum imports. The former president characterized the EU as “nasty,” “hostile and abusive,” and claimed the bloc was "formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States."

A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that discussions were being arranged between U.S. and EU officials to address the situation. The Commission also noted that its trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, had reached out to American counterparts following Mr. Trump’s threat of retaliation on Wednesday.

Writing on Truth Social, Mr. Trump argued that the proposed tariff would benefit domestic industries, stating it would be “great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.”

The latest threat represents a significant escalation in the ongoing trade war, which has unsettled financial markets and raised concerns about broader economic consequences. Earlier this week, Mr. Trump moved forward with plans to expand U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, imposing a blanket 25 percent duty and eliminating prior exemptions granted to certain countries.

His comments follow recent tariff hikes on Chinese imports, which he raised to at least 20 percent earlier this month. Mr. Trump has also imposed 25 percent levies on goods from Mexico and Canada, though some of those tariffs were later suspended. Since taking office, he has repeatedly threatened additional tariffs on specific commodities, including copper, lumber, and automobiles.

Leaders in Canada and Europe have condemned the tariffs as unjustified and have responded with their own countermeasures targeting U.S. goods. The standoff has fueled concerns over the potential impact on businesses and consumers worldwide, further deepening the divide between the United States and some of its key trading partners.