Donald Trump threatens a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne to pressure Emmanuel Macron into joining the "Peace Committee," while France retaliates by calling such threats unacceptable and intolerable.
On Tuesday, 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose an import tariff of up to 200% on French wine and champagne to pressure French President Emmanuel Macron to join the "Peace Committee" that Trump is initiating to address global conflicts.
Trump's initiative will begin with resolving the Gaza Strip conflict before expanding to other disputes. This project has raised questions about the role of the United Nations (UN). Meanwhile, sources close to Macron said the French president intends to decline the invitation to join.
When asked about Macron's stance, Trump said, “Is that what he said? Honestly, no one really wants him because he will soon be out of office.” He added, “I will impose a 200% tariff on his wine and champagne; then he will join on his own, but really, he doesn't have to join.”
France is scheduled to hold elections to choose Macron's successor in 2027.
Additionally, Trump attacked the French leader again by revealing a private message from Macron, which said he did not understand Trump's actions regarding Greenland.
Since Trump and the European Commission president reached a U.S.-EU trade agreement last year, wine and spirits exported from the EU to the U.S. have faced a 15% import tariff. France has lobbied heavily to reduce this rate to zero.
The United States is the largest market for French wine and spirits, with exports valued at 3.8 billion euros in 2024.
An aide to President Macron said the presidential office is aware of Trump's threats and emphasized that using tariffs to pressure the foreign policies of third parties is unacceptable.
Gabriel Picard, president of the French Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS), told Reuters on Monday (before the latest threat) that the industry had been impacted by previous trade measures, with business activity in the U.S. declining by 20% to 25% in the latter half of last year.
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Source:cna