U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with a 200% tariff on wines and champagne if he refuses to accept an invitation to the "Council of Peace."
Previously, Macron expressed his unwillingness to participate in Trump's "Council of Peace," which piqued journalists' interest. Trump commented on this by saying, "Oh, he said that? Well, no one invited him there. By the time he makes a decision, he may no longer be in power. If he continues to be stubborn, I will simply impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagne — and he will join anyway. Although, in principle, it's not necessary."
Trump's trade strategy typically involves pressure through tariffs, and his "Council of Peace" appears to be a way to set his own terms for interaction with other countries. The threats directed at Macron underscore Trump's personal perception of international conflicts.
According to the press, ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump heightened tensions by publishing maps that show Greenland as part of the United States.
In the lead-up to the forum, Trump posted a series of images on his Truth Social network that many found provocative. One of them, created with the help of artificial intelligence, highlights Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela in the colors of the American flag.
In another image, Trump, along with Vice President Jay D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is shown planting the U.S. flag on Greenland's territory with the caption "Greenland — U.S. territory, established in 2026."
Trump has long expressed the need to gain control over Greenland, citing national security concerns and criticizing Denmark and Europe for their "insufficient protection" of the island. These publications coincide with his threats to impose tariffs against European countries that do not agree with his position.
According to Reuters, Trump reaffirmed his determination regarding Greenland, emphasizing that the "path back" on this issue is closed, despite growing discontent from the European Union and NATO countries.
