Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Monday (January 19) he will impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes, a move he claimed would push French President Emmanuel Macron to join Trump's Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.
When asked by a reporter about Macron saying he will not join the board, Trump said, "Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon... I'll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he'll join, but he doesn't have to join."
France intends to decline the invitation to join the initiative, at this stage, a source close to Macron said earlier on Monday.
Trump also said he has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a member of the peace board. "He's been invited," Trump said.
The Kremlin said earlier on Monday that Moscow is studying the proposal and hopes for contacts with Washington concerning it.
Trump originally proposed establishing the Board of Peace when he announced last September his plan to end the war in Gaza. But an invitation sent to world leaders last week outlines a broad role ending conflicts globally.
