French exports of wine and spirits have faced significant declines in both mainland China and the United States, with reported drops of 19.5% and 21% respectively in 2025. This downturn marks the third consecutive year of declining export values, reaching levels not seen since 2020. Gabriel Picard, president of the French Federation of Wine and Spirit Exporters (FEVS), highlighted during a press conference in Paris that such declines are severely affecting the industry's morale and recovery prospects for the upcoming year, amidst continuous challenging circumstances.

The reduction in exports has been attributed directly to tariffs imposed by both the US and China. Tariffs instituted by former US President Donald Trump, along with retaliatory duties from China related to European tariffs on electric vehicle imports, are identified as critical factors in this trade slump. Even with the United States remaining the largest export market for French wine and spirits, the decreasing figures point to substantial trade barriers that have emerged, negatively impacting longstanding trade relationships.

Overall, this situation not only reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions but also highlights the fragility of the wine and spirits market which must contend with both external trade pressures and internal market dynamics. The continuation of these tariffs poses an uncertain outlook for the French wine and spirits industry, which may struggle to bounce back if such trade restrictions remain in place. The news comes as both exporters and consumers adjust to a changing landscape in international trade involving luxury goods.