France rejects Trump’s threat of 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne, calling them unacceptable and ineffective.
France’s Response
As we always emphasize: tariff threats aimed at influencing our foreign policy are unacceptable and remain ineffective,” stated the French president’s entourage in response to Donald Trump’s announcements of imposing 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes. This response was quoted by “Le Parisien”.
“This is a threat that at this stage is unacceptable. This is unprecedented brutality that of course cannot remain without a response not only from France but from the entire European Union,” said Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard on TF1. According to the government representative in Paris, the US president’s announcement represents “a threat to a specific sector, namely vine cultivation, which is a flagship element of French agriculture.”
Trump’s Threats
The American leader announced tariffs after Emmanuel Macron rejected his proposal to join the Peace Council. Asked about this by journalists in Florida, Trump cut the topic short: “No one wants him [Macron], because he will soon leave office. If they are hostile, I will impose 200% tariffs on his wines and champagnes, and he will join us. But he doesn’t have to.”
Trump had proposed membership to leaders of 60 countries around the world, including the leaders of Russia and Belarus. The Council’s task was to rebuild the Gaza Strip. “The idea of a new initiative raises serious questions, especially regarding respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, which in no way can be undermined,” warned the Élysée Palace.
Macron’s Message
Earlier, Donald Trump shared a text message from Emmanuel Macron: “My friend, on Syria we are completely in agreement. We can achieve great things regarding Iran. I don’t understand what you are doing about Greenland.”
The message also mentioned the possibility of a G7 group meeting in Paris after the World Economic Forum in Davos and an invitation to a private dinner for both leaders. A source from Macron’s entourage confirmed the message is authentic. The post appeared as Trump intensified pressure on Denmark and other European countries to agree to hand over Greenland to the control of the United States.
