United States President Donald Trump on 19 January (US time) said he will impose a 200% tariff on French wines and Champagnes to pressure French President Emmanuel Macron into joining his ‘Board of Peace’, Reuters reported.
The statement came after a reporter asked Donald Trump about Macron's likely refusal to serve on the board aimed at resolving global conflicts.
This is not a new threat; in March 2025, Donald Trump had threatened to impose 200% tariffs on wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages from France and other European Union countries, claiming that the EU was “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world”.
What did Donald Trump say about Macron?
“Did he (Macron) say that (won't join)? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of the office very soon. I'll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he'll join, but he doesn't have to join,” Donald Trump told reporters.
Notably, Emmanuel Macron’s second term is set to conclude in 2028. He has also expressed an intent to leave the post earlier, as per a Bloomberg report.
Earlier, Reuters cited a source close to the French president to report that Macron intends to decline a seat on the peace board.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump also confirmed to reporters that he has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier, the Kremlin also said on 19 January that Putin had been invited. “We are studying the details of the ‘Board of Peace’ proposal. We hope to have contacts with the US to clarify the details on it,” it stated.
Donald Trump's ambitious ‘Board of Peace’ proposal — Highlights
- Under Donald Trump's proposed ‘Board of Peace’, the US is asking countries to contribute $1 billion for a permanent spot on the body.
- Bloomberg cited a draft of the charter, which states that Donald Trump would serve as the body's inaugural chairman and have authority over membership decisions.
- Among the world leaders invited are Argentina’s Javier Milei and Canada’s Mark Carney, as well as several European nations, the Bloomberg report added.
- Donald Trump is aiming to get the full constitution and remit of the committee signed in Davos on 22 January amid the World Economic Forum (WEF 2026), the Bloomberg report added, citing sources.
- There is criticism and concern that Donald Trump is trying to build an alternative to, or rival of, the United Nations, the Bloomberg report added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
