Comments from some top figures of associations and Consortia dedicated to the impact of duties on the Italian wine sector.
Comments from some of the top figures of Italian wine associations and Consortia, following the imposition of new tariffs on imports into the United States.
In recent months, the debate over tariffs on Italian wine exports has attracted the attention of the press and public opinion. On April 2, 2025, the administration of President Donald Trump announced the imposition of new tariffs on wine imports into the United States. These measures include a 20% duty on wines imported from the European Union. These measures risk having repercussions on the European wine sector, especially for major exporters such as Italy. Below are some comments from Presidents of Italian Consortia and associations in the world of wine.
Camillo Pugliesi, Director of the Consortium of DOC Sicilian Wines
“The decision to impose duties on Italian wines is a source of great concern for a sector that has always made quality and exports one of its main strengths. The wines of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Doc Sicilia are ambassadors of our culture and our territory in the world, and these measures will not only create difficulties for producers, but will also significantly penalize American consumers, who will see their ability to access excellent products at competitive conditions reduced. The risk is that of limiting the choice for the American public, depriving them of wines appreciated for their quality and authenticity. For its part, the Consortium will continue, as far as possible, to keep the dialogue open with the United States. However, at the same time, expansion strategies will be implemented towards other markets and trade and promotion activities will be strengthened in countries with which we have collaborated for years, such as Canada and the United Kingdom. The promotion of DOC Sicilia wines does not stop and will continue with determination on a global scale”.
Vitaliano Maccario – Barbera d’Asti Consortium and Monferrato Wines
“ The introduction of new duties on wine imports into the United States certainly forces us to make important considerations, even if we are not particularly worried. Thanks to their competitive price, we do not expect the wines of the denominations protected by our Consortium, in particular Barbera, to suffer significant drops in sales, since the impact of the increase will be minimal and we trust it can be easily absorbed by the market. This aspect, combined with the great appreciation that these wines enjoy among young consumers and wine lovers for their versatility and pairability, we hope will keep them highly competitive even in the context of the new American duties. We are therefore confident that they will continue to be sought after in the American market without the policy of new duties being able to impact too significantly on the trend of demand. We also believe that it is essential to continue investing in collaboration with the main players in the US market. In this excellent we have signed an important agreement with the Pennsylvania Monopoly that will materialize in a series of actions, first of all the tour that is taking place these days in our territory. A unique opportunity for our producers to introduce their products to buyers and to open new commercial relationships. We strongly believe that our territory can increasingly be a reference of excellence and quality ”.
Giovanni Dubini, President of the MTV Umbria Association
“ In recent years, wine tourism in Umbria has represented an extraordinary resource for our territory, with a growing interest from Italian and foreign visitors who choose our region to discover the quality and authenticity of our wines. However, the introduction of duties on wine exports represents a significant challenge for the sector, affecting the competitiveness of our companies and limiting access to international markets.
Umbria, with its historic wineries and its native vines, must continue to focus on wine tourism as a driver of economic growth and promotion of the territory. Restrictive trade policies must not discourage producers, but rather push us to invest even more in hospitality, experiential and in the valorization of our local excellences.
We strongly urge that institutions at national and European level work to protect the Italian wine sector, promoting agreements that can reduce the impact of duties and encourage the international promotion of our wine heritage. In the meantime, MTV Umbria will continue to work alongside wineries and tourism operators to strengthen our attractiveness, offering visitors unique experiences that go beyond simple tasting: cultural itineraries, food and wine events and an authentic immersion in the beauty of our land .
Massimo Sepiacci, President of UmbriaTop, the cooperative of Umbrian wineries
” Now we have a clearer picture: we know that the duty will be 20%. Of course, this is news that will have a negative impact, but at least the uncertainty that had blocked the market in recent months has been overcome. The most immediate effect will therefore be a reduction in imported volumes, with a direct impact on our exports, especially for mid-range and entry-level wines. For the Umbrian wine sector, this means the need to adopt targeted strategies to limit losses, diversifying destinations and further enhancing the quality and uniqueness of our wines.
Umbria, with its long winemaking tradition and its commitment to producing excellent wines, must face this challenge with determination, making the most of its territorial peculiarities. It is essential to strengthen its presence in emerging markets, invest in the digitalization of distribution and create synergies with other strategic sectors of Made in Italy. Joint work between institutions, consortia and producers will be essential to address this situation, guarantee the competitiveness of Umbrian wine in the global context and continue to make the value of our land and its quality products known to the world .