French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stern warning on Tuesday, saying Europe will not be intimidated by threats, in a clear message to US President Donald Trump over his plan to impose steep tariffs if Greenland is not made available to the United States. While other European leaders have tried to stay calm to prevent a trans-Atlantic row from worsening, Macron grabbed the first chance to condemn the move at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Macron: Europe will not bow to bullies
France, and Europe as a whole, will not “passively accept the law of the strongest,” Macron said, speaking at WEF. Ignoring this, he warned, could lead to Europe’s “vassalization.” Macron said Europe will continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, even as the world seems to be moving toward lawlessness. He suggested the EU might respond with its own trade sanctions if necessary.
“We do prefer respect to bullies,” Macron said. “And we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
Macron’s remarks came after Trump threatened 200 percent tariffs on French wine and champagne. The US president also shared private messages from Macron publicly, an unusual breach of diplomatic practice.
Trump shares Macron’s private message
Hours later, Trump posted on Truth Social a screenshot of a message exchange with Macron. According to a source close to Macron, the messages are authentic. In them, Macron wrote: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” and suggested hosting a G7 meeting that would include Russia and other countries. The exact date of the messages was not disclosed.
Macron confirmed he will not extend his stay in Davos to meet Trump, who is arriving on Wednesday. “I don’t have to change my schedule,” he said, adding that he had always planned to leave in the evening.
Trump had vowed on Saturday to start imposing a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on several European allies, including France, until the US could acquire Greenland. Many EU countries have called this blackmail and are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting to consider retaliatory moves.
Washington’s “endless accumulation” of tariffs is “fundamentally unacceptable,” Macron said, “even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.”
What Europe plans to do
EU leaders have scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday evening to discuss Greenland. Tariffs on 93 billion euros’ worth of US goods, previously set aside when Trump signed a trade deal with the EU, could take effect on February 6.
Macron has also urged the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument, also known as the “trade bazooka,” which could limit US access to public contracts or restrict trade in services like tech platforms. He called the situation “crazy” that it had escalated this far.
Trump’s push to claim Greenland, part of a NATO member country, has soured relations with Europe. The plan has unsettled European industries and shaken financial markets. Trump has also criticised France for hesitating to join a proposed “Board of Peace,” a new international organisation he would lead. France has expressed concern over its potential impact on the UN’s role.
When asked about Macron’s stance, Trump said Monday: “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.”