Thread by @latimes

Global wine exporters view China as a barely tapped opportunity, given its exploding middle class and growing appetite for imported wine.

But in the wake of recent tariffs, this opportunity may be dashed for U.S. exporters. lat.ms/2P3i1QN

Since April of last year, in response to U.S. tariffs, China has slapped retaliatory taxes on $110 billion in U.S. imports. For wine, taxes and tariffs now amount to a 93% surcharge on every U.S. bottle. lat.ms/2P3i1QN

When he began exporting to China two years ago, Hank Wetzel had high hopes of penetrating its fast-growing wine market. But today, as Trump’s trade war shows no sign of waning, “the economics of selling there are horrendous,” he said. lat.ms/2P3i1QN

U.S. wine exports to China were down by 33% in the first half of this year compared to the first six months of 2017. Unless something changes, the future looks grim for U.S. wineries looking to export to China . lat.ms/2P3i1QN

📝 We enabled commenting for this story. Do you have questions about how Trump’s trade war is impacting wineries in California? Let us know in the comment section. lat.ms/2P3i1QN