United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on French wines and champagnes following reports that French President Emmanuel Macron declined to join a proposed US-led ‘Board of Peace’.
Trump directly linked the tariff threat to Macron’s apparent refusal to participate in the initiative, which the US president has described as a platform for resolving global conflicts.
Under the proposal, long-term members of the board would be required to contribute $1 billion each into a fund to be overseen by Trump as chairman.
Reacting to reports of Macron’s decision, Trump dismissed the French leader, saying: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.”
He added: “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.”
A source close to Macron told AFP on Monday that France “does not intend to answer favourably” to the invitation.
Another source quoted by AFP on Tuesday described Trump’s tariff threat aimed at influencing France’s foreign policy as “unacceptable and ineffective.”
About 60 world leaders have reportedly been invited to join the Board of Peace.
Trump first unveiled the idea last September while outlining proposals to end the war in Gaza. More recent invitations, sent last week, expanded the board’s mandate to address conflicts globally.
According to a draft charter seen by Reuters, countries seeking membership beyond three years would be required to pay the $1 billion contribution in cash.
The proposal has drawn cautious reactions from several governments, with diplomats warning that the initiative could undermine the role of the United Nations in global conflict resolution.
Trump also disclosed on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been invited to join the board, saying an invitation had already been sent.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that Macron sent a private message to Trump proposing the organisation of a G7 summit in Paris on Thursday. The French president reportedly suggested that Russia could be invited on the sidelines, alongside Ukraine and Denmark, amid Trump’s renewed threat over Greenland.
