EU-USA customs duty agreement negotiated; concern persists among Prosecco producers
In the bustling suburbs of Washington, D.C., Doug Rosen's store specialises in selling European products. A significant portion of his shelves is dedicated to wines and spirits, with Italian Prosecco being his best-selling product and the primary market for his exports.
For Alessio Al Savio, the owner of a Prosecco exporting company, the American market is his primary destination, shipping out 12 million bottles of Prosecco annually. This popularity is evident in Rosen's store, where clients are most interested in Italian Prosecco.
Under the Trump administration (2017–2021), Italian Prosecco imports into the U.S. were exempt from tariffs, and no import duties were imposed on Italian wines or European allies[1]. However, the fear of potential tariffs led U.S. importers to stockpile Prosecco, causing a 41% surge in imports by November 2016[1].
After Trump's administration, in mid-2025, tensions escalated, and the U.S. threatened starting August 1 to impose tariffs as high as 30% on various European products, including Italian wines[3]. While Italian Prosecco and other wines were not hit by tariffs during Trump's presidency, the more recent U.S.-EU trade tensions have put tariffs on the table again, with proposals including a potential 10% tariff on Italian wines that would significantly impact small producers and flagship appellations such as Prosecco[2][3].
The Italian wine industry warns that a 10% tariff would heavily penalize small businesses that rely on exports (up to 50% of turnover) and diminish the competitiveness of luxury products like Prosecco in the U.S. market[2]. The total economic impact of tariffs on affected Italian sectors, including wine, could reach up to €18-22 billion over 2025-2026[3].
Doug Rosen, anticipating potential import taxes, currently has 20 cases of Prosecco in reserve. He fears for his future sales due to these potential import taxes, as they could impact the affordability and availability of Prosecco for his customers. No decision regarding import taxes on Prosecco has been made by the current administration.
The Veneto region in northern Italy is the birthplace of Prosecco, a sparkling wine that has found a home in the hearts of many Americans. The future of Prosecco's popularity in the U.S. market remains uncertain, as ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and EU continue to shape the landscape of international trade.
[1] "Trump's Trade Wars: Tariffs, Quotas, and the Rise of Protectionism," Council on Foreign Relations, 2021, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/trumps-trade-wars
[2] "Italian Wine Industry Warns of 'Catastrophic' Impact of U.S. Tariffs," Reuters, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-wine-tariffs/italian-wine-industry-warns-of-catastrophic-impact-of-us-tariffs-idUSKCN1VX2FK
[3] "U.S. Threatens Tariffs on EU Products, Including Wine," Wine Spectator, 2025, https://www.winespectator.com/articles/us-threatens-tariffs-on-eu-products-including-wine-64162
- The Italian Prosecco exporting company owned by Alessio Al Savio targets the American market, sending 12 million bottles of Prosecco annually.
- The Italian wine industry, which includes Prosecco, is concerned about potential tariffs, warning that a 10% tariff could heavily penalize small businesses and affect the competitiveness of luxury products like Prosecco in the U.S. market.
- Doug Rosen, who specializes in selling European products, including Italian Prosecco, is stockpiling the wine in anticipation of potential import taxes, as they could impact the affordability and availability of Prosecco for his customers.
