U.S. President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., Sept. 23, 2025.
Alexander Drago | Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron was reported to be unwilling to join his “Board of Peace” on Gaza.
When asked for a response by a reporter in Miami about Macron’s stance, Trump dismissed the Frenc leader’s influence and said he would use trade penalties as leverage.
“Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” Trump said. “So you know, that’s all right. What I’ll do is, if they feel like [being] hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join. But he doesn’t have to join.”
The Board of Peace is a global body endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in November last year, established to oversee the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Invites to various world leaders to be on the board have been sent, including to Russian President Vladimir Putin, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Trump also reiterated his plans to control Greenland, downplaying the likelihood of resistance from Europe.
“I don’t think they’re going to push back too much,” he said. “We have to have it …They can’t protect it.”
Referring to Denmark’s historical claims over Greenland, Trump said the Danish leaders were “very good people,” but argued that 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.” It was not clear what “boat” Trump was referring to.
Denmark has held colonies in Greenland since 1721, and the island was made part of Denmark in 1953. In 2009, Denmark granted Greenland self-government, giving the territory control over all its affairs except foreign policy and defence.
Trump on Friday threatened to take control of Greenland “whether they [European lawmakers] like it or not,” claiming that it was needed for “world security.”
On Saturday, he also warned that the U.S. would impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries, including the UK, until the U.S. controls Greenland.
Trump has not ruled out the use of military force to seize the territory, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said on Jan. 6 that Trump would prefer to buy Greenland.
In response, European states are weighing retaliatory tariffs and broader punitive economic counter-measures against the U.S.