US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne after France signaled it would reject his invitation to join a proposed “Board of Peace.” The warning followed reports that Paris does not plan to support the initiative, which was initially designed to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza but may expand beyond the region.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said France would face heavy trade penalties if it refused to participate. He later shared a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron on Truth Social. In the message, Macron said both leaders agreed on Iran and Syria but questioned Trump’s interest in Greenland. Macron also proposed meeting Trump and other G7 leaders during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Tensions increased after France mocked Washington’s stance on Greenland. The French foreign ministry posted sarcastic comments on social media targeting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s defense of Trump’s Arctic policy.
Bessent argued that Trump’s focus on Greenland reflects concerns over future Russian activity in the Arctic. He said the region could become strategically important for NATO security in the coming years.
