DAVOS, Switzerland — French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday delivered a sharp rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on European allies, declaring that Europe would not be intimidated or surrender its principles in the face of economic pressure.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macron said France and the European Union would not “passively accept the law of the strongest,” warning that such an approach would lead to Europe’s “vassalization.” He underscored the bloc’s commitment to territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, even as he described a global shift toward what he called a “world without rules.”
“We don’t give in to bullies,” Macron said, adding that Europe preferred “respect to bullies” and the “rule of law to brutality.”
Macron’s remarks came after Trump threatened to impose escalating tariffs on several European countries, including France, if the United States is not allowed to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a fellow NATO member. The French leader also criticized what he called Washington’s “endless accumulation” of tariffs, describing their use as leverage against territorial sovereignty as “fundamentally unacceptable.”
European leaders, who have largely sought to keep a measured tone to prevent the dispute from escalating, are set to convene an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the Greenland issue and potential responses.
The European Union has previously prepared tariffs on €93 billion ($108 billion) worth of U.S. goods, which could be reactivated as early as Feb. 6. Macron has also urged the bloc to consider deploying its Anti-Coercion Instrument, informally dubbed the “trade bazooka” which could restrict U.S. access to EU public tenders or limit trade in services, including technology platforms.
Tensions intensified after Trump threatened a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes and posted what appeared to be private messages exchanged with Macron on his Truth Social account. A source close to the French president confirmed the authenticity of the exchange, in which Macron questioned Trump’s stance on Greenland and suggested convening a broader G7 meeting.
Macron said he would not alter his schedule in Davos to meet Trump, who is due to arrive later in the week. French officials said the president was being singled out because of his outspoken defense of democratic principles and European sovereignty.
“By leading the resistance, France becomes a target,” lawmaker Pieyre-Alexandre Langlade, an ally of Macron, told Reuters.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
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- Venus L Peñaflor
