Davos, Switzerland. French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe would not be intimidated or accept the “law of the strongest,” criticising U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of steep tariffs linked to Greenland.
Macron’s comments at Davos
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Macron said France and Europe would not “passively accept the law of the strongest,” adding that doing otherwise would lead to their “vassalization”. He said Europe would continue to stand up for territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, despite what he described as a shift towards a world without rules, and said this could include the European Union responding with its own steep trade sanctions.
“We do prefer respect to bullies,” Macron said. “And we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
Tariff threats and diplomatic dispute
Macron delivered the speech after Trump threatened huge tariffs against French wine and champagne and posted private messages from Macron, which Macron described as an unusual breach of diplomatic discretion.
Trump had already vowed on Saturday to implement a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on several European allies, including France, until the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland, a step major EU states decried as blackmail. Macron said Washington’s “endless accumulation” of new tariffs was “fundamentally unacceptable,” particularly when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.
Emergency EU summit planned
EU leaders decided over the weekend to convene in Brussels on Thursday evening for an emergency summit on Greenland.
Macron’s appearance
Macron wore aviator sunglasses during his speech, which the Elysee Palace said was to protect his eyes because of a burst blood vessel.
How do you think the EU should respond to U.S. tariff threats linked to territorial sovereignty?
