By Raveena Kumari 
World News | Jan 20, 2026
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne, escalating tensions with Paris after France indicated it would decline his invitation to join a proposed “Board of Peace”. Trump also publicly shared a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron questioning Washington’s stance on Greenland.
The sharp exchange follows France’s public mockery of the United States, particularly over comments made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who attempted to justify Trump’s renewed focus on the Arctic territory, which is part of Denmark.
What Trump Said
Speaking to reporters, Trump warned of severe trade retaliation against France.
“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, referring to Macron.
The proposed “Board of Peace” was initially framed as a body to oversee the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza, though its charter reportedly extends beyond the Palestinian territory.
Trump later posted a private message from Macron on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the message, Macron said the two leaders agreed on issues related to Iran and Syria, but added that he did not “understand” what Trump was “doing on Greenland”.
Macron’s Outreach
According to the message shared by Trump, Macron proposed meeting Trump and other G7 leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also suggested including representatives from Ukraine, Denmark, Syria, and Russia, and offered to host Trump for dinner later in the week.
France Pushes Back
The diplomatic clash intensified after AFP reported that France “does not intend to answer favourably” to Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace. A source close to the French presidency said the board’s mandate “goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza”.
France also took aim at Trump’s Greenland ambitions. In a post on X, the official account of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs mocked Bessent’s justification, likening it to deliberately causing harm to prevent a hypothetical future crisis.
The standoff highlights growing transatlantic friction over trade, geopolitics, and Trump’s unconventional diplomatic initiatives, with European leaders warning that further escalation could damage already strained relations.
Shalu Shalu