After France declined to join the Gaza 'Board of Peace', US President Donald Trump threatened 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne.
What did Donald Trump say?
The US President said, "I'll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes. And he'll join. But he doesn't have to join," referring to French President Emmanuel Macron, NDTV reported.
The threats to France came after Paris mocked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's justification of why the President is focused on the island nation, which is formally a part of Denmark.
The US President also shared a private message from the French President on Truth Social. The message from President Macron read, "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. Let us try to build great things."
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According to the private message shared by Trump, Macron further added that he could set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon, and could invite Ukraine, Denmark, Syria, and "the Russians in the margins" to that meeting. Macron further suggested a dinner with his US counterpart in Paris before Trump heads home.
France 'mocked' US Secretary
France's stand became clear after AFP reported that the Macron administration does not want to accept Donald Trump's invitation to the 'Board of Peace'. A source close to the French President said the board is not limited to Gaza and goes beyond that issue.
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France also mocked the US over Trump's Greenland move. In a post on X, the foreign ministry made fun of Scott Bessent's defence, comparing it to causing damage now to stop a future crisis, NDTV reported.
The reaction from France followed Scott Bessent's defence of Donald Trump's move. He said the US President was thinking ahead, with a focus on possible future threats from Russia in the Arctic region.
