Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When neighbouring countries are both hailed for their gastronomic prowess, it’s only natural that there is a bit of healthy competition.
Belgium and France are certainly no stranger to the occasional culinary tiff. Earlier this year, the battle of the frites broke out, with a whole seminar devoted to finding the origin of the tasty potato snack found on sale at street stalls throughout Brussels. Belgium is undoubtedly the home of frites – but they were allegedly invented next door.
Now it is the neighbours’ national tipples causing friction on both sides of the border. Last year, France declared it would be imposing a 160 per cent excise on sales of beer, a beverage that the Belgians are justly famous for. There are 450 different varieties of beer produced at nearly 180 breweries across Belgium, making the country one of the world’s largest producers.
Given that 32 per cent of its exports head to France, the industry took it hard and started lobbying for the tax to be scrapped.
That didn’t happen and Belgian brewers are expected to file a complaint against France at the EU. Local media say a complaint filed in the coming weeks will accuse the French tax of being in violation of the European single market.
And if that does not work, they could hit the French where it hurts.
Belgian officials last year threatened to retaliate with a similar levy on wine, a tipple treated with equal reverence on the other side of the border.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments