Trump’s Greenland Threats Loom Over Davos: Live Updates

In a bold stance, President Trump has issued a threat of 200 percent tariffs on French wine, including Champagne. This warning was directed at President Emmanuel Macron of France, in response to Macron’s reluctance to join Trump’s newly proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza. This board, led by Trump, aims to oversee a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and manage the reconstruction of Gaza.

Threats to Trade and Diplomacy

Trump’s announcement came after France declined the invitation to participate, citing serious concerns regarding the board’s potential to undermine the United Nations. The Trump administration had reached out to several nations last week to join this initiative, including traditional allies and countries with strained relations. A senior French official reaffirmed that France disapproved of the board’s charter.

• Countries invited: Canada, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Belarus.
• Leaders who agreed to join: Javier Milei (Argentina), Viktor Orban (Hungary).

Trump’s Trade Strategy

This is not the first instance of Trump using tariff threats as a diplomatic tool. He had previously suggested similar tariffs on wines from Europe in March of the previous year, reflecting a pattern of leveraging trade to fulfill foreign policy ambitions. Trump framed the new tariffs as a response to what he termed France’s “hostile stance,” further indicating that this pressure was meant to coerce Macron into compliance.

In a statement, French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard criticized Trump’s remarks, labeling them as blackmail designed to force compliance from France and other nations invited to the board.

Trump’s Greenland Deal Ultimatum

Amid these threats, Trump also reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, stating that if a deal was not reached, he would impose 10 percent tariffs on select European nations—potentially increasing this rate to 25 percent. This underscores the president’s aggressive approach to international relations and trade.

Recent Communication from Macron

On Tuesday, Trump shared a message from Macron via social media. The French leader proposed organizing a Group of 7 meeting following the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also suggested a dinner with Trump to discuss shared interests, including the situation in Syria, while expressing confusion about Trump’s position on Greenland.

The developments surrounding Trump’s Greenland threats and the proposed tariffs reflect ongoing tensions in international trade and diplomacy. These events could have significant implications for U.S.-France relations and broader global interactions.