Big news broke this week that directly impacts our beloved bottles of Champagne. On July 27, 2025, the United States and the European Union announced a sweeping trade agreement that rewrites the rules for how goods flow between the two economies. While there’s still nuance and uncertainty to sort through, the good news is this: a full-blown trade war has been averted, and the outlook for wine imports, particularly Champagne, may be more stable than we feared just a few months ago.
Here’s what you need to know.
President Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in Scotland and finalized what is now being called the “Turnberry Agreement," a comprehensive US/EU trade deal aimed at calming months of escalating tariff threats.
The agreement implements a 15% flat tariff on most goods flowing between the U.S. and EU, down from the previously proposed 30% tariffs that would have severely impacted the wine industry. While this new 15% rate still represents a sharp increase from the 1-2% tariffs we’ve known and navigated for years, it’s a relief compared to the far more punishing alternative.
What About Champagne?
Champagne and other sparkling wines were caught in the uncertainty surrounding these talks. While the official tariff categories for wine haven’t been publicly itemized yet, the current understanding is that Champagne will likely fall under the 15% standard tariff, not the higher categories.
This is frustrating, yes, but it could have been far worse. In the past year, we were preparing for as much as a 100% tariff on imported European wines. Thankfully, those fears have now been shelved.
We’re hopeful that as the deal continues to be refined and ratified, wine, especially small-production and boutique producers, might be carved out for more favorable terms. There’s still time for adjustments, and we’ll be watching closely.
What This Means for We Drink Bubbles
At We Drink Bubbles, we’ve always been committed to sourcing directly from small, family-owned Champagne producers in France, and we’ve absorbed increasing costs over the years to keep those bottles flowing to your doorstep. In full transparency, I have always kept my margins incredibly low to continue providing the best service and and products at a fair price. However, with this new 15% increase, it will be inevitable for my to factor in these additional fees.
With this new agreement, the path forward is clearer, though still more costly than before. A 15% tariff means higher import fees and shipping duties, and we will be making some minor adjustments to pricing or packaging to accommodate in the coming months. That said, we remain fiercely dedicated to protecting the integrity of what we offer, and to keeping bubbles in your glass, tariff or not.
Final Thoughts
This deal isn’t perfect, and it’s not yet finalized in full. The European Union still needs to ratify it through its internal process, which could take weeks or months. However, the immediate implementation of the new tariff structure in the U.S. (effective August 1) gives us a framework we can begin to plan around.
Most importantly, the Champagne you love isn’t going anywhere. We're here to navigate these changes with transparency and passion, just as we always have.
We’ll continue to monitor developments, advocate for fair treatment of wine imports, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Cheers Friends,
Shiloh Caffrey
