US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne to pressurise French President Emmanuel Macron into joining Washington’s “Board of Peace” initiative, a global conflict-resolution body initially pitched as part of post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Criticising the US’ trade practices, Macron said Washington’s tariff threats “openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe” and were being used as leverage against territorial sovereignty, in a subtle reference to Trump’s suggestion of annexing Greenland. He stressed the EU “should not hesitate” to use anti-coercion mechanism in face of Greenland tariff threats.
Trump made the threat publicly after Paris signalled it would decline the US invitation to sit on the board, calling the initiative’s broad remit beyond Gaza concern for many European capitals.
“I will put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join. But he doesn’t have to join,” Trump told reporters, referring to Macron by his first name in remarks that underscore rising diplomatic strain.
The threat, if implemented, would sharply escalate trade friction between two long-standing allies and could severely hit French exports. The US imported nearly €3.8 billion in French wine and spirits in 2024, and analysts warn hefty levies could disrupt markets and dampen investor confidence in the sector.
In an unprecedented move for high-level diplomacy, Trump also posted on his social media platform a private text message from Macron, in which the French President appeared to propose a G7 meeting in Paris after the World Economic Forum in Davos and suggested broadening the agenda to include Ukraine, Denmark, Syria and even Russia.
“We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” Macron wrote, according to the screenshot shared by Trump.
Paris, however, has not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the message, though sources close to Macron told multiple outlets the text was genuine and meant as a private diplomatic overture.
Analysts say the standoff, coinciding with the global elite’s annual gathering in Davos, could sharpen divisions on core issues such as UN authority, trade norms and security cooperation, straining what has traditionally been a cornerstone of western diplomacy.
The French President also called for greater global cooperation with emerging economies, including BRICS and G20 countries.
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