President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a staggering 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne to persuade French President Emmanuel Macron to join his peace commission initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.
Starting with Gaza, Trump’s plan to expand into other conflicts has raised concerns about the United Nations’ role, and sources close to Macron indicate that the French president is likely to turn down any offers to participate.
When asked about Macron’s stance, Trump remarked, “Did he say that? Well, no one wants him, because he’s leaving office soon.”
“I’m going to put a 200% tariff on his wine and champagne, and he’ll participate, but he doesn’t have to participate,” Trump added, seemingly unbothered by the implications of his threats.
Wine tariffs part of broader salvo threat against EU
Macron will remain in Davos throughout Tuesday, returning to Paris later in the evening. According to aides at the Élysée, Trump isn’t planning to stay in Switzerland until Wednesday when he is scheduled to arrive at the mountain resort.
In another dig at Macron, Trump made public a private message from the French leader expressing confusion over Trump’s Greenland-related actions. It’s also worth noting that France will have to choose Macron’s successor in 2027.
Currently, wine and spirits imported from the European Union to the U.S. are subject to a 15% tariff. France, however, has been actively lobbying to reduce this to zero, especially since Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on a U.S.-EU trade deal last summer in Scotland.
The U.S. holds the title as the largest importer of French wine and spirits, with shipments projected to reach €3.8 billion in 2024.
Gabriel Piccard, head of France’s wine and spirits export group FEVS, mentioned to Reuters recently that the industry has faced a 20-25% decline in U.S. business in the latter half of the previous year due to earlier trade policies.
An aide to President Macron acknowledged Trump’s statements, stressing that tariffs that affect the foreign policies of countries are wholly unacceptable.
Agriculture minister says Trump’s threats are ‘cruel’
In response, European nations are contemplating their own “anti-coercion tools” as a countermeasure to the proposed €93 billion tariff retaliation and an additional threat to raise tariffs over Greenland-related issues.
“It’s cruel; it’s meant to cripple us, and it’s a tactic of intimidation. All of this is outrageous,” stated French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard on TF1.
“We have the resources. Europe must step up. This escalation cannot be allowed,” she continued, exuding a sense of urgency.
Previously, Trump had similarly threatened to impose 200% tariffs on various alcoholic beverages from the EU, notably last March when trade tensions spiked.
Reactions to Trump’s invitation for the peace commission have been measured, with diplomats concerned that this plan could negatively impact UN operations.
A draft charter the U.S. administration sent to around 60 countries suggests that nations would need to contribute $1 billion in cash if they wish to maintain their membership for more than three years, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
