Trump threatens 200% tariffs on France over ‘Board of Peace’ snub

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on French wines and champagnes, sharply escalating tensions with France after President Emmanuel Macron indicated that Paris does not intend to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.Reacting to questions from reporters about Macron’s reported refusal, Trump responded bluntly. “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon,” Trump said. “I’ll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join. But he doesn’t have to join,” he added.Sources close to the French president said France plans to decline the invitation at this stage, reflecting Paris’s cautious approach to the U.S.-led initiative.

Jeez

Q: “Have you invited Putin to be a member of the Board of Peace?”

Trump: “Yeah. He's been invited”

On Macron saying he will not join the Board of Peace

Trump: “Nobody wants him.. If they feel hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes & he’ll join” pic.twitter.com/3tAyypt9Vb

— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) January 20, 2026

Trump first proposed the Board of Peace last September while outlining his plan to end the war in Gaza. However, invitations sent to global leaders last week describe a much broader mandate, extending to conflict resolution across the world. A draft charter circulated by the U.S. administration to around 60 countries calls for member nations to contribute $1 billion if they wish their membership to extend beyond three years.The proposal has drawn guarded reactions from several governments, with diplomats warning that such an initiative could complicate or undermine existing multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations.
On Monday, Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join the Board of Peace. “He’s been invited,” Trump said, without elaborating.Further fuelling tensions, Trump shared screenshots on his Truth Social platform of private messages exchanged with Macron. In one message, the French president reportedly said the two leaders agreed on issues related to Iran and Syria but questioned Trump’s focus on Greenland. Macron also suggested holding a meeting after the World Economic Forum in Davos, proposing Paris as a venue and offering to invite other G7 leaders, as well as representatives from Ukraine, Denmark, Syria and Russia. He also extended an invitation to host Trump for dinner.

Trump’s sharp remarks followed criticism from Paris after French officials mocked comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding Washington’s interest in Greenland, an Arctic territory that is part of Denmark.