In a dramatic escalation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, former President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne. This retaliatory move comes after French President Emmanuel Macron publicly declined to join Trump’s newly proposed “Board of Peace,” a body intended to oversee a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza. Macron rejected the invitation, citing concerns that the board’s charter undermines the principles and structure of the United Nations. In response, Trump told reporters, “I’ll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and Champagnes, and he’ll join,” prompting French officials to condemn the remarks as “blackmail” and an unacceptable attempt to influence foreign policy through economic coercion.
The controversial “Board of Peace,” formally titled the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, was officially announced by the White House last Friday. Trump has promoted it as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled,” with confirmed members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner. Invitations have also been extended to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with reports indicating that countries may need to pay up to $1 billion for a permanent seat. While leaders from MAGA-aligned nations like Argentina and Hungary have accepted spots, several European countries, including Germany, are likely to follow France in refusing participation, especially given Putin’s involvement.
Amid the growing diplomatic standoff, Macron hinted at potential European countermeasures, suggesting the use of the EU’s “anti-coercion instrument” against the United States if necessary. He emphasized a preference for “respect over bullies,” underscoring the deepening transatlantic rift. This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of other contentious Trump administration actions, including the recent U.S. withdrawal from a major climate treaty and ongoing geopolitical maneuvers, such as expressed interest in Greenland. The situation highlights the volatile intersection of trade policy, diplomatic pressure, and global governance disputes as Trump seeks to consolidate influence through unilateral initiatives.
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