Trump Threatens 200% Tariff On French Wine, Champagne; Shares Macron Private Text

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne over French counterpart Emmanuel Macron intentions to decline his invitation to join his "Board of Peace".

Why did Trump say so?

Responding to the reporters question about Macron saying he would not join the board, Trump said, "Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon."

Referring to French President Emmanuel Macron, the US President said that "I'll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes. And he’ll join. But he doesn’t have to join."
 
Trump said that the tariff threat was directed to Macron, further added that "Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon."

What was the message from Macron?

Later, the US President posted a screenshot of a private message sent from French President to Trump on his platform Truth Social.

"From president Macron to President Trump. My friend, We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing in Greenland," the text read. 

According to the message, Macron is offering a proper meeting, "I can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon. I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians in the margins."

The message further added, "Let us have a dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back to the US."

Has Macron reacted?

A source close to French President Macron said, "Tariff threats to change our foreign policy are unacceptable and ineffective."

The source said on Monday that France intends to decline the invitation for now, according to Reuters. 

What is the "Board of Peace"?

The initiative, which is led by the US President, aims to bring lasting peace in Gaza, support postwar governance, reconstruction and resolve global conflict. 

The US President has sent invitations to around 60 countries, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Hun­gary, Viet­nam, Rus­sia, Canada, Tur­key, Egypt and Albania. Trump has described the effort as a historic new approach to global peace. 

And once the board starts functioning, there are appre­hen­sions that it will extend to other con­flicts such as Ukraine and Venezuela, and mem­bers may have to end up tak­ing sides.

Who all are on the board?

Trump would chair the board for life and would start by address­ing the Gaza con­flict and then expand to deal with other con­flicts.

Last week, the White House also announced the formation of an executive board, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British premier Tony Blair, US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and World Bank President Ajay Banga.