U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagne, saying the move could pressure French President Emmanuel Macron into joining his proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the tariff threat was linked directly to Macron’s reported refusal to participate in the board. “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join,” Trump said. He added dismissively that “nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.”
A source close to Macron confirmed on Monday that France intends, at this stage, to decline the invitation to join the Board of Peace. Governments worldwide have reacted cautiously to Trump’s proposal, with diplomats warning the initiative could undermine the work of the United Nations.
Trump first floated the idea of the Board of Peace in September, when he unveiled a plan to end the war in Gaza. Invitations sent to around 60 countries last week outline a broader mandate to address global conflicts. A draft charter seen by Reuters states that member countries would need to contribute $1 billion in cash to extend their membership beyond three years.
On Monday, Trump also said he had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the board, confirming that Moscow had received an invitation.
Tensions between Washington and Paris surfaced further after Trump shared screenshots on social media of private messages he said were sent by Macron. In the messages, Macron proposed holding a G7 meeting in Paris and expressed confusion over Trump’s stance on Greenland. Macron also suggested inviting representatives from Ukraine, Denmark, Syria and Russia on the margins of the meeting and extended an invitation for Trump to dine with him in Paris.
A source close to Macron confirmed the authenticity of the messages, though neither the White House nor the French presidency commented publicly.
The exchange comes as EU leaders prepare to meet in Brussels for an emergency summit following Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on several European countries over his demand to acquire Greenland, further straining transatlantic relations.
