U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200% on French wine and Champagne, saying the move is intended to pressure French President Emmanuel Macron into joining a U.S.-backed initiative known as the “Board of Peace.”
Trump has described the plan as an effort to help resolve global conflicts. It marks the second time since taking office that Trump has singled out French wine as a target for tariff pressure.
Asked by reporters about Macron’s reported refusal to join the initiative, Trump responded dismissively. “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon,” he said.
Trump then added that tariffs would be used as leverage. “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and Champagnes, and he’ll join — but he doesn’t have to join,” he said.
🚨Trump threatens FRANCE when told Macron said he’s skipping his so-called “Board of Peace.”
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 20, 2026
“Oh, did he say that?… you’re probably giving it to me a little bit differently…but nobody wants him… I’ll put a 200% tariff on his
wines and champagnes.”
Something’s wrong with him. pic.twitter.com/CscnOItjtD
The “Board of Peace” was first proposed by Trump in September 2025. Initially framed as an effort to “end the Israel–Hamas war,” the initiative was later expanded to include other international conflicts. The U.S. government has invited around 60 countries to participate and proposed that members wishing to hold seats for more than three years contribute US$1 billion as a membership guarantee.
Governments have reacted cautiously. Several diplomats have warned that the initiative could weaken the existing role of the United Nations in international security and conflict mediation. According to multiple international media reports, the French government has indicated it does not plan to respond positively “for the time being,” citing sources close to Macron.
This is not the first time Trump has used wine tariffs as a political tool. In March last year, he threatened on social media to impose 200% tariffs on European wines, Champagne and other alcoholic beverages after the European Union announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. whiskey in response to American steel and aluminium duties. Those comments at the time triggered declines in the share prices of several listed European drinks companies.
The United States is the world’s largest alcoholic-beverage market and one of the most important overseas destinations for France’s wine and spirits industry. Public data show that in 2024, France exported about €2.4 billion worth of wine to the U.S., in addition to more than €1.5 billion in spirits, including cognac.
Earlier tariff threats aimed at EU wine had already weighed on the market. In early 2025, U.S. buyers of Bordeaux en primeur reportedly held back from placing orders, putting downward pressure on prices for the 2024 vintage and underscoring the influence of the U.S. market on France’s wine trade.
While Trump has long favoured high tariffs as a tool of political and diplomatic leverage, such extreme measures are often used to create negotiating space rather than being fully implemented. Last year, for example, the U.S. and China imposed tariffs of up to 125% on each other’s goods before ultimately reaching a truce and rolling back most of the measures.
Whether the proposed 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne will ultimately be enacted remains uncertain.
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