US President Donald Trump stated that he would levy a 200% tariff on France's wine and champagne exports if it refused to join his 'Board Of Peace' for Gaza.
"I'll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes. And he'll join. But he doesn't have to join," Trump said, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Although Macron has not publicly reacted yet, a source close to him told news agency AFP that such threats are unacceptable to him. "Tariff threats to influence our foreign policy are unacceptable and ineffective," the source was quoted as saying.
Notably, the Board of Peace has been envisoned by the US to supervise the rebuilding of Gaza Strip, whose infrastructure has been reduced to rubble in the bombarding by Israel over the past two years. The board will "promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict," as per the charter.
The charter does not mention Gaza and is hence likely seen by many EU members with skepticisim as it will be involved in the mediation of other conflicts as mentioned by Trump. This raises fears that it may be an attempt to act as a replacement to the United Nations.
Trump revealed a private message purportedly sent to him from Presdent Emmanuel Macron with regards to his foreign policy, that stated that he did not understand what the latter was doing with Greenland, while expressing approval for his approach to Syria and an offer for collaboration on Iran.
"My friend, We are totally in line on Syria, We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland (sic)," stated the message, which was shared by Trump on his Truth Social account.
Also Read: Bessent Urges Calm Over Greenland, Downplays Treasuries Threat
The message further stated that France was willing to set up a G7 meet in Davos on Thursday with invites to the major crisis-afflicted countries that the US is currently engaging with, such as Denmark, Ukraine, Russia and Syria.
"Let us try to build great things:
1) I can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on thursday afternoon. I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians in the margins
2) let us have a dinner together in Paris together on thursday before you go back to the US (sic)," it further said.
Notably, the US Seeks to take control of Greenland, citing anticipated "future threats from Russia". The official account of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs countered this argument on X, alleging that Washington was deliberately causing issues in the present out of anticipation of a crisis in the future.
"If there were a fire someday, firefighters would intervene – so better burn the house now," the post read. "If a shark might attack someday, intervention would follow – so better eat the lifeguard now," and, "If there were a crash someday, damage would occur – so better ram the car now," it added.
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