U.S. President Donald Trump threatens 200% tariffs on French wine after Emmanuel Macron reportedly snubs a Gaza peace board, while also reviving controversial claims over Greenland.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media – January 20, 2026
Washington, Jan. 20, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to slap 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne, escalating a diplomatic dispute after French President Emmanuel Macron was reportedly unwilling to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” on Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Miami, Trump brushed off Macron’s influence and framed trade penalties as leverage. “If they feel like being hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes,” Trump said, adding that Macron “doesn’t have to join.”
Macron’s five-year term ends in May 2027, and French law bars him from seeking a third term.
The Board of Peace, endorsed by the U.N. Security Council in November, was set up to oversee the Israel–Hamas ceasefire. Invitations have been sent to several global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump’s remarks on France came alongside renewed assertions about Greenland, where he downplayed the prospect of European resistance to U.S. control of the territory. “I don’t think they’re going to push back too much,” he said, arguing that the island is vital for “world security.”
Dismissing Denmark’s historical claims, Trump said a centuries-old presence did not confer ownership. “Just because the boat went there 500 years ago and then left, that doesn’t give you title to property,” he said, without clarifying the reference.
Denmark has had colonies in Greenland since 1721. The island became part of Denmark in 1953 and gained self-government in 2009, retaining Danish control over foreign policy and defense.
In recent days, Trump has sharpened his rhetoric, warning that Washington would impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries — including the United Kingdom — until the U.S. secures control over Greenland. He has not ruled out the use of force, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the administration would prefer to pursue a purchase.
European governments, meanwhile, are weighing retaliatory tariffs and broader economic countermeasures, raising the prospect of a widening transatlantic trade confrontation as diplomatic tensions mount.
