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French President Emmanuel Macron stated Tuesday that Europe refuses to submit to bullies or be easily shaken, sharply criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to slap heavy tariffs if Europe doesn’t permit his plans to take control of Greenland.
While most European leaders have maintained a cautious tone to prevent the transatlantic confrontation from escalating, Macron responded forcefully.
“France and Europe will not passively accept the law of the strongest,” Macron declared at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that yielding would amount to their “vassalization.” Instead, he affirmed that Europe will uphold its sovereignty and the rule of law, despite a perceived global drift toward lawlessness. This stance could lead the EU to impose its own significant trade sanctions.
“We prefer respect over bullying,” Macron emphasized. “And we prioritize the rule of law over brute force.” During his speech, Macron wore aviator sunglasses, which his office explained was to protect his eyes from a burst blood vessel.
This speech followed Trump’s threat to impose hefty tariffs on French wine and champagne and his decision to leak a private message from Macron—an unusual breach of diplomatic protocol. Trump had previously announced plans to increase tariffs starting February 1 against several European allies, including France, until the U.S. gains access to Greenland, a move strongly opposed by major EU countries, who condemned it as blackmail.
Macron condemned the ongoing U.S. escalation of tariffs as “fundamentally unacceptable,” especially when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.
The European Union is convening an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday evening to discuss the Greenland issue. The EU had previously suspended tariffs on €93 billion worth of U.S. goods after a trade agreement in summer, but those could be reimposed as early as February 6.
Macron has also urged the EU to consider activating its Anti-Coercion Instrument, informally dubbed the “trade bazooka,” which could restrict U.S. companies’ participation in EU public procurement or limit trade in services like technology platforms. He called the current situation “crazy.”
The relationship between Trump and Europe has significantly deteriorated, especially after Trump’s push to claim sovereignty over Greenland, an Arctic island and NATO member Denmark, unsettling European industries and rattling financial markets. Additionally, Trump expressed annoyance over France’s hesitation to join a proposed new international organization, the Board of Peace, which Trump plans to lead. France worries about its potential impact on the United Nations.
When asked about Macron’s stance on the Board of Peace, Trump joked that he would impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes to compel Macron to join, though Macron does not have to.
Later, Trump shared on his social media a screenshot of an exchange with Macron, which a source close to Macron confirmed as authentic. In the message, Macron expressed confusion over Trump’s Greenland strategy and proposed hosting a G7 meeting including Russia and others. The timing of those messages was not disclosed.
Macron has no plans to stay in Davos beyond Tuesday, as Trump arrives. Macron explained, “I don’t need to change my schedule,” and noted he had planned to leave that evening.
Since becoming president in 2017, Macron’s relationship with Trump has fluctuated — sometimes friendly, sometimes more confrontational. French officials defend Macron’s direct engagement with Trump, saying they often communicate through informal calls and texts outside official diplomatic channels. Macron’s aides believe Trump targets him because Macron stands up for democratic principles.
“Ahead of resisting, France becomes a target,” said Macron associate Pieyre-Alexandre Langlade.
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