President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on French wines and champagne after President Emmanuel Macron indicated France would decline an invitation to join Trump's Board of Peace initiative. The threat marks a significant escalation in transatlantic tensions as the United States seeks to pressure European allies into supporting its new global diplomatic framework.
The confrontation emerged after a spokesperson for President Macron announced on Monday that France intends to decline participation in the Board of Peace. According to French officials, the statutes of the planned board extend beyond the scope of the Gaza Strip and raise important questions regarding respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, which Paris believes should not be called into question under any circumstances.
Trump responded with characteristic bluntness when asked about Macron's reported refusal during a press conference. He dismissed the French president, stating that nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon, referring to Macron's term ending in May 2027. Trump then issued his tariff threat, declaring he would impose a 200 percent duty on French wines and champagnes, adding that while Macron does not have to join, the economic pressure would likely change his position.
The Board of Peace, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025, was originally conceived to oversee the Israel-Hamas ceasefire but has since expanded to address global conflicts. Under its proposed charter, Trump would serve as chairman with final say on all decisions, while countries seeking permanent membership would be required to contribute one billion dollars. Invitations have been extended to leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
France is not alone in its reluctance to participate. The United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada are reportedly set to join France in declining to take part in the signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The coordinated European resistance suggests growing concern about the initiative's implications for traditional multilateral diplomacy.
French officials emphasized that their country remains fully committed to a ceasefire in Gaza and a credible political perspective for both Palestinians and Israelis. However, they stressed that France will continue to defend effective multilateralism and the established international order. The wine and champagne industry represents a significant portion of French agricultural exports, making Trump's tariff threat a pointed economic weapon.
The dispute adds another layer to the complex trade relationship between the United States and the European Union, which has already been strained by previous tariff battles over steel, aluminum, and whiskey. European winemakers have expressed alarm at the potential duties, which could devastate exports to the American market, one of the most lucrative destinations for French luxury beverages.