Trump threatens 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes over 'board of peace' snub

WASHINGTON (The Uttam Hindu) : Diplomatic tensions between US President Donald Trump and France have spilled into the open. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on French wine and champagne, expressing anger over France's refusal to join his proposed "Board of Peace."

Trump's stance comes after France flatly refused to join the board, which is concerned with Gaza's reconstruction and global peace. Trump wants to establish it as an international peace forum, not just limited to Gaza.

Speaking to reporters , Trump said, "I'll impose a 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne. Then they'll automatically join. They don't have to, though." This statement was a direct reference to French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump said that if France takes a stance against the United States, he won't hesitate to take economic action.

Private message made public:

Further escalating the issue, Trump also made public a private message from President Macron on his social media platform, "Truth Social." In this message, Macron spoke of the agreement between the two leaders on the issues of Iran and Syria, but expressed confusion about Trump's policy on Greenland. Macron also wrote in the message that he did not understand what Trump was trying to do on the Greenland issue.

In the same private message, Macron invited Trump to meet in Davos during the World Economic Forum. He also invited him to dinner on Thursday, along with the leaders of the other G7 countries, Ukraine, Denmark, Syria and Russia.