Washington, United States. President Donald Trump said he will impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes, linking the threat to France’s stance on joining his proposed Board of Peace initiative. A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron said France intends to decline the invitation at this stage.
Tariff threat and remarks about Macron
Asked by a reporter about Macron saying he will not join the board, Trump said, “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of 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,” Trump said.
France’s position
A source close to Macron said on Monday that France intends to decline the invitation to join the initiative at this stage.
Board of Peace plan and draft charter
Trump originally proposed establishing the Board of Peace when he announced last September his plan to end the war in Gaza, but an invitation sent to world leaders last week outlines a broader role ending conflicts globally.
A draft charter sent to about 60 countries by the U.S. administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years, according to the document seen by Reuters.
International reaction and U.N. concerns
Governments reacted cautiously on Sunday to Trump’s invitation, a plan that diplomats said could harm the work of the United Nations.
Putin invitation
On Monday, Trump also said he has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a member of the peace board. “He’s been invited,” Trump said.
What do you think the proposed membership contribution requirement would mean for countries considering joining the Board of Peace?
