Trump Tariffs: France Pushes Back, Pledges Retaliation Over US Trade Threats

France’s trade minister has reacted to Trump’s threat of tariffs on wine exports from France to the U.S. This came even though the U.S. President scrapped plans to apply the trade policy against certain EU nations amid the dispute over Greenland.

French Minister Rebuffs Trump Tariffs Threat

According to a Bloomberg report, the French trade minister, Nicolas Forissier, criticized the threat by Donald Trump to impose heavy tariffs on alcohol exports from the nation of France.

He made it clear that Paris would not think twice about retaliatory action should these policies be put into place. Forissier told Davos that the idea to use tariffs on culturally or economically significant items is, to us, unacceptable.

Trump had threatened to impose a 200% levy on French wine and champagne when President Macron refused to join his “Board of Peace.” It was later shared that the United States is stepping back from the Trump tariffs plans targeting European nations that were against his goal of acquiring Greenland. However, the French authorities are holding their ground.

“It’s not acceptable to have this kind of weapon, taking some sectors which are very symbolic and important for us as hostage, this is not acceptable and if it was done there would be some responses,” Forissier said.

Before Trump’s partial retreat, France was among the European countries pushing a hard collective response. Forissier conceded that consensus within the EU remains difficult to achieve. Member states are divided on how aggressively to respond to the Trump tariff threats.

EU Trade War Cools, But France Threat Remains

Trade wars between the US and Europe appeared to ease yesterday. Yesterday, the U.S President announced a delay of the implementation of the imposed duties against some European countries. This was meant to take effect beginning February 1.

Trump made the announcement after holding productive talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, according to the president. The news also provided a short-term positive effect on the market, and the cryptocurrency market turned green.

The European Union had suspended its trade agreement, which it had reached with the U.S., due to the recent tariff threats made by Trump.

Although currently in freeze mode, a strong indication was given that if this threat of tariffs manifests itself in reality, the response would be quite strong. The Board for Peace, led by President Trump, has been duly established through an agreement with world leaders.

President Donald J. Trump signs and ratifies the Board of Peace charter, officially making the Board of Peace an international organization.

THE PEACE PRESIDENT 🕊️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/J7v8d0S8m7

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 22, 2026