Trump threatens to impose 200% tariffs on French wines

Emmanuel Macron’s government quickly reacted, classifying the attitude as “blackmail”. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard told the channel TF1 this Tuesday (20) that “this is a hostile statement towards France” and “a threat that seeks to make Europeans give in”.

France has been invited along with dozens of countries to join the body that Trump plans to lead to oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. Paris, however, refused this Monday, arguing that the current conditions set by the US are not adequate. The European country considers that the proposal questions the principles of multilateralism and the UN’s operating structure.

After the refusal, Trump said he would impose the high tariffs if France adopted what he described as a hostile stance. Other countries invited to the council are Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

In addition to opposing the plan for Gaza, Macron has also disagreed with Trump’s advances in Greenland.

In Davos, this Tuesday, the French president stated that “we must not be intimidated” in the face of threats from President Donald Trump and what appears to be the collapse of the multilateral system that has allowed a certain degree of order in the world since the Second World War.

“We must remain calm, we must defend our principles, we must not lower our heads, we must not give in to the law of the strongest nor to any intimidation tactics”, he declared upon leaving the auditorium where he spoke to leaders participating in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Asked whether Trump could still be considered an ally when he launches daily threats against Europe, Macron noted: “It’s up to him to respond to that, although it certainly doesn’t reflect that kind of behavior.”