U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes after France declined to join his proposed Board of Peace on Gaza initiative.
Asked about French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision, 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,” Trump added.
Donald Trump later published what he said was a private message from Emmanuel Macron on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The message, addressed to Trump and signed “Emmanuel,” said France and the U.S. were aligned on Syria and Iran, questioned U.S. actions on Greenland, and proposed a G7 meeting in Paris after Davos as well as a private dinner before Trump’s return to the U.S.
Macron's office cited concerns over the powers potentially extended to the Board and whether it would disrupt the work of the United Nations.
A statement, issued by the Elysée Palace, said the board's authority would go "beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question.”
France’s reluctance highlights growing unease among some European capitals about U.S.-led initiatives that they believe could sideline established international mechanisms, particularly the UN, in addressing the Gaza conflict and its aftermath.
The White House announced the formation of the Board of Peace on Friday (16 January), saying it would play a central role in implementing President Trump’s plan to permanently end the war in Gaza and oversee the reconstruction of the enclave. According to Washington, the board would provide strategic oversight, mobilise international resources and ensure accountability as Gaza moves from conflict toward recovery. Trump wants countries to pay $1 billion to gain permanent membership on the Board.
The U.S. administration also said it has set up a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza as part of phase two of Trump’s comprehensive plan, alongside an executive board structure intended to support governance and rebuilding efforts in the territory.
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Qatar has confirmed that seven people, including four of its military personnel and three Turkish nationals, were killed on Sunday (22 March) when a helicopter crashed in the country’s territorial waters.
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the country’s modern history.
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing international criticism.
Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime attack and reflecting on changes to national security.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American forces could target Iranian power plants if the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Iran, in return, warned that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes on regional facilities.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
Italy is voting on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Qatar has confirmed that seven people, including four of its military personnel and three Turkish nationals, were killed on Sunday (22 March) when a helicopter crashed in the country’s territorial waters.
Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime attack and reflecting on changes to national security.
A drone attack on a hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, has killed at least 64 people and injured 89 more, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Saturday.
Cuba’s national power grid went down on Saturday, cutting electricity for millions, officials said. The outage marks the second nationwide blackout in a week and the third major grid failure in March.
A British nuclear-powered submarine armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles has reportedly taken up position in the Arabian Sea, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday (21 March). The deployment gives the UK the ability to carry out long-range strikes if tensions in the Gulf escalate.
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