Trump threatens 200% tariffs on French wine after France rejects Gaza Board of Peace

The threat against France echoed a similar episode last year, when Trump warned of 200% tariffs on European wine during a trade dispute with the European Union.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose 200% tariffs on French wine, including Champagne, after France declined to join his proposed “Board of Peace,” a US-led body intended to oversee the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and supervise Gaza’s reconstruction.

France was among the countries invited last week to participate in the initiative, which Trump has said he plans to lead.

The board was announced Friday, with formal invitations sent shortly afterward by the administration.

A senior French official said Monday that Paris did not intend to join, citing concerns that the board’s charter raised serious questions about respect for the role of the United Nations. Critics have argued that the initiative could sideline existing international mechanisms. Trump has repeatedly accused the UN of liberal bias and waste.

Asked about France’s refusal, Trump said he would impose steep tariffs on French exports if Paris took what he described as a hostile stance, suggesting the economic pressure could push President Emmanuel Macron to reverse course.

The charter circulated with the invitations indicates that Trump envisions the Board of Peace playing a role beyond Gaza, extending to other global conflicts.

Countries invited include close US allies such as Canada, Britain and Saudi Arabia, as well as states with strained relations with Washington, including Russia and Belarus.

So far, only a small number of leaders have publicly agreed to participate, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The threat against France echoed a similar episode last year, when Trump warned of 200% tariffs on European wine during a trade dispute with the European Union. That threat was never carried out, but it unsettled French Champagne producers, for whom the United States is the largest foreign market.

Trump’s comments came as he appeared to escalate rhetoric toward Western allies more broadly.

Early Tuesday, in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump shared images implying US control over Greenland and Canada, criticized Britain over its decision to cede the Chagos Islands, and published what he described as private messages from foreign leaders.

Among them was a screenshot labeled as a message from Macron, which the Élysée Palace later confirmed had been sent. In the message, Macron urged coordination on Syria and Iran, questioned Trump’s statements on Greenland, and proposed convening a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 following Davos, as well as a private dinner in Paris before Trump’s return to the United States.

Trump did not comment on whether he would accept the proposals.