Trump threatens 200% wine tariff to push France to join ‘Board of Peace’
US president targets France after it was lukewarm about the US$1 billion invitation to join his new global body
US President Donald Trump threatened to hit French wines and champagnes with 200 per cent tariffs in an apparent effort to cajole French President Emmanuel Macron into joining his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.
Trump’s initiative, which would start by addressing Gaza and then expand to deal with other conflicts, raises questions about the role of the United Nations and a source close to Macron said the French president intended to decline the invitation to join.
When asked about Macron’s stance, Trump said: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.
“I’ll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join,” Trump said.
Macron was due in Davos for the day on Tuesday before a scheduled return to Paris in the evening. Elysee aides have said there were no plans to extend his stay to Wednesday, when Trump arrives in the Swiss mountain resort town.
In another shot at the French leader, Trump published a private message from Macron in which he said he did not understand Trump’s actions over Greenland. France holds an election to replace Macron in 2027.