French President Emmanuel Macron says Europe will not give in to bullies or be intimidated, in a scathing criticism of US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe does not let him take over Greenland.
While other European leaders have tried to keep a measured tone to prevent the trans-Atlantic dispute from escalating, Macron came out swinging.
France, and Europe, will not “passively accept the law of the strongest,” Macron said at the World Economic Forum in Davos overnight, adding that doing otherwise would lead to their “vassalisation”.
He emphasized that Europe remains committed to defending territorial integrity and upholding international law, even as the global landscape shifts towards a less regulated environment. This could involve the EU implementing significant trade sanctions in response.
Macron criticized Washington’s “endless accumulation” of tariffs, describing them as “fundamentally unacceptable” during his speech in Davos. He pointed out the particular issue when these tariffs are used to exert pressure on territorial sovereignty.
“We do prefer respect to bullies,” Macron said. “And we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
He delivered the speech after Trump threatened huge tariffs against French wine and champagne and posted private messages from Macron, an unusual breach of diplomatic discretion.
Trump had already vowed on Saturday to implement a wave of increasing tariffs from 1 February on several European allies, including France, until the US is allowed to acquire Greenland, a step major EU states decried as blackmail.
Advocating for a proactive stance, Macron has urged the EU to consider deploying its Anti-Coercion Instrument, colloquially referred to as the “trade bazooka.” This tool could potentially restrict US access to public tenders or limit trade in services, especially in technology sectors. Macron expressed disbelief at the situation, calling it “crazy.”
In response to Macron’s position on the Board of Peace, President Trump remarked on Monday night, “I’ll impose a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and then he’ll join, though he doesn’t have to.”
EU leaders decided over the weekend to convene in Brussels on Thursday evening for an emergency summit on Greenland.
Tariffs on €93 billion ($162 billion) worth of US goods, which the EU set aside when Trump agreed a trade deal with the bloc last summer, could snap into place on 6 February.
The NATO chief chimed in with a light-hearted comment, “Can’t wait to see you.”
200 per cent tariff on wines and champagnes
The US president’s relationship with Europe as a whole has deeply soured over his push to wrest sovereignty over the Arctic island from fellow NATO member Denmark, rattling European industry and sending shockwaves through financial markets.
Trump has also taken offence at France’s reluctance to join a proposed Board of Peace, a new international organisation that he would lead. Paris has voiced concern over its impact on the role of the United Nations.
When asked about Macron’s stance on the Board of Peace, Trump said late on Monday: “I’ll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.”
Trump publishes private messages
A few hours later, Trump published on his Truth Social account a screenshot of an exchange with Macron.
In the exchange, which a source close to Macron said was authentic, Macron told Trump: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland” and offered to host a G7 meeting, inviting Russia and others. Neither Trump nor the French source disclosed the date of the messages.
Trump also unveiled a private text message from NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, in which he thanked the former Dutch prime minister.
Rutte, who famously referred to Trump as “Daddy” at a NATO summit last year, said in the message that he was “committed to finding a way forward on Greenland”.
“Can’t wait to see you,” the NATO chief added.
No Trump-Macron meeting planned in Davos
Macron confirmed he had no plans to extend his stay in Davos to Wednesday, when Trump arrives in the Swiss mountain resort town.
“I don’t have to change my schedule,” he said, adding that it had long been planned that he would leave in the evening.
Macron, who will leave office in mid-2027, has been France’s president since 2017. His relationship with Trump has had ups and downs since Trump’s first term, with Macron alternating between flattery and tougher rhetoric.
