EU Said to Push for a Spirits-Wine Tariff Deal Touted by Arnault

The European Union is reportedly seeking to expand the exemptions from the 15% tariff agreed with the United States earlier this week. The main focus is on securing a deal for wines and spirits, which are seen as a top priority. The push for a more comprehensive tariff agreement is being driven by concerns within the EU, particularly from France, about the potential impact on the spirits and wine industries. The proposal is said to have the backing of French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who has a significant stake in the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, which owns several prominent wine and spirits brands. The EU's efforts to negotiate a more favorable tariff arrangement for these sectors reflect the importance of the wine and spirits industries to the European economy, as well as the desire to protect these important sectors from the potential negative consequences of the existing tariff agreement.