Davos, Switzerland | Jan 20 (GeokHub) French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a blunt rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, declaring that Europe would not submit to intimidation or coercion amid rising tensions over Greenland and the threat of steep U.S. tariffs.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macron warned that Europe would refuse to “passively accept the law of the strongest,” arguing that doing so would erode sovereignty and reduce nations to dependency. His remarks followed Trump’s recent threats to impose heavy tariffs on European goods unless the United States is allowed to take control of Greenland.
Europe Signals Willingness to Respond
Macron said Europe would continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, even as global politics shift toward what he described as a more confrontational, rules-light environment. He suggested that the European Union could respond with its own trade countermeasures if pressured further.
“We prefer respect to intimidation,” Macron said, adding that Europe would choose law and cooperation over force and economic threats.
Trump has recently floated tariffs as high as 200% on French wine and champagne, while also publishing private messages exchanged with Macron on social media — a move that European officials privately described as a breach of diplomatic norms.
Emergency EU Talks Ahead
EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels later this week for an emergency summit focused on Greenland and trans-Atlantic relations. One option under discussion is the activation of suspended tariffs on €93 billion worth of U.S. imports, which could automatically take effect in early February.
Macron has also urged the bloc to consider deploying its Anti-Coercion Instrument, a powerful but never-used mechanism that could restrict access to EU public contracts or limit U.S. services trade, including digital platforms.
Relations Continue to Strain
The dispute has further strained already fragile U.S.–Europe relations, unsettling financial markets and raising fears of a renewed trade war. Trump has also criticized France for declining to support a proposed new international peace forum he seeks to lead, dismissing Paris’ concerns about undermining existing global institutions.
Despite the escalation, Macron confirmed he has no plans to meet Trump in Davos, saying his schedule would not change.
French officials say the president’s firm stance reflects a broader effort to defend democratic principles and European autonomy at a time of growing geopolitical pressure.
