Washington: US President Donald Trump has escalated his diplomatic tactics by threatening tariffs against countries that refuse to join his newly announced Board of Peace for Gaza. The first target of Trump’s warning is French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump stated that if France rejects the American invitation to participate, it could face a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne.
The Board of Peace is intended to oversee the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with the US acting as mediator. Trump has invited multiple countries, including India and Pakistan, to join this initiative. However, global response has been lukewarm, with many nations remaining silent, and France and Canada signaling they may not participate.
Trump’s Warning to France
Responding to a reporter’s question about Macron potentially refusing the board, Trump said, “I can impose 200% tariffs on their wine and champagne, and they will join, though they won’t need to.” A source close to Macron indicated that France does not intend to accept Trump’s invitation, prompting the President’s public warning.
Canada and the Board
AFP reported that Canada will not make any payments to join the Board of Peace, though Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at a possible acceptance of the invitation.
Board Leadership and Costs
The board, chaired by Trump, includes former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Nations wishing to become permanent members must contribute $1 billion (approximately ₹9,000 crore). Trump’s repeated tariff threats underscore his aggressive approach to enforcing participation, reflecting his broader pattern of leveraging economic pressure in foreign policy.
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