Khaberni - French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Tuesday that Europe will not surrender to bullies or give in to intimidation, in a sharp criticism of his American counterpart Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs if Europe does not allow him control over Greenland.
While other European leaders tried to maintain a measured tone to prevent the escalation of transatlantic tensions, Macron took a firm stance, saying at the World Economic Forum in Davos, "France and Europe will not 'accept the law of the strongest.'" He added that Europe will continue to defend the integrity of its territories and the rule of law, despite what he described as a shift towards a world without rules. This could include the European Union responding with strict trade sanctions. He said: "We prefer respect over bullies. And we prefer the rule of law over brutality."
Macron's comments came after Trump threatened to impose harsh tariffs on French wine and champagne, and published personal messages sent to him by Macron in an unusual breach of diplomatic prudence.
On the past Saturday, Trump vowed a wave of increasing tariffs starting February 1st on a number of European allies, including France, until they allow the United States to acquire Greenland, a move condemned by major European Union countries as extortion.
European Union leaders decided at the beginning of the week to meet in Brussels on Thursday evening in an emergency summit about Greenland. Tariffs might be imposed on February 6th on American goods worth 93 billion euros, which the European Union had excluded when Trump agreed to a trade deal with the bloc last summer.
Trump was displeased by France’s reluctance to join the Peace Council, which he proposed, a new international entity he would chair. Paris expressed concern about its impact on the role of the United Nations. In response to a question about Macron’s stance on the Peace Council, Trump said late Monday: "I will impose 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne, and he will join, but he is not compelled to."
A few hours later, Trump posted on "Truth Social" a screenshot of messages between him and Macron. In the screenshot of the messages, which a source close to Macron said was authentic, Macron told Trump: "I don’t understand what you are doing in Greenland," and offered to host a meeting for the Group of Seven, Russia, and others. Neither Trump nor the French source disclosed the date of the messages.
