Penedès DO criticizes Trump for “total insecurity,” calling changing tariffs “nonsense” 

The Penedès Denomination of Origin (Penedès DO), a protected wine region in Catalonia, is accusing US President Donald J. Trump of creating a situation of “total insecurity” in wine exports due to the constant changes in tariffs.

But the temporary 90-day delay on tariffs, announced by the Trump administration on April 10, has not been enough to restore business with American importers, says the president of the Regulatory Council of the Penedès DO, Joan Huguet, in an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Wineries without orders ‘for months’

According to Huguet, many Catalan wineries haven’t received orders from the US “for months” because they are "fearful”.  

Huguet, who is the co-owner of the Can Feixes winery in Cabrera d’Anoia, outside Barcelona, explains that his US clients froze their orders four months ago.

“This is what’s happening to many other wineries in the Penedès DO,” he says.

Other wineries have managed to maintain business during the first quarter of 2025, but things have since slowed.

Some wineries have containers full of bottles stuck in the Port of Barcelona, while others have pallets waiting in storage for carriers who never arrive because the American importers hesitate to finalize orders, fearing tariff changes while the wine is in transit.

The region exports about 10% of its annual production to the United States.

Trump has turned business into a ‘circus’

“Who believes in a 90-day truce now? Who can guarantee that next week he won’t announce another plot twist?” he asks while calling the situation “extreme.”

Huguet also believes that Trump has turned business with the US into “a circus.” He cites the threats of 200% tariffs, followed by an announcement of 10% + 10% and the current 90-day truce before a potential 20% hike as “nonsense” that has created international chaos.

While waiting for the situation to be resolved, Huguet says that some American importers are trying to find solutions, as redirecting wines to other markets is complex and slow.