Macron says Europe will not be intimidated after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Europe would not give in to intimidation, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs if Europe did not let him take over Greenland.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Macron said France and Europe would not “passively accept the law of the strongest”, warning that doing otherwise would lead to their “vassalization”. He said Europe would continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, and that the European Union could respond with trade sanctions.

Macron’s comments followed Trump’s threat to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne, and his decision to publish private messages from Macron. Trump has said he would implement a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on several European allies, including France, until the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland.

Macron said Washington’s “endless accumulation” of new tariffs was “fundamentally unacceptable”, particularly when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.

EU leaders decided over the weekend to convene in Brussels on Thursday evening for an emergency summit on Greenland. Reuters reported that tariffs on 93 billion euros of U.S. goods, which the EU set aside when Trump agreed a trade deal with the bloc last summer, could take effect on February 6.

Macron has urged the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could limit U.S. access to public tenders or restrict trade in services such as tech platforms.

In the published exchange, which a source close to Macron said was authentic, Macron told Trump he did not understand what he was doing on Greenland and offered to host a G7 meeting, inviting Russia and others. Neither Trump nor the French source disclosed when the messages were sent.

Macron said he would not extend his stay in Davos to Wednesday, when Trump is due to arrive, and that he had long planned to leave on Tuesday evening. The Elysee Palace said Macron wore aviator sunglasses during his speech to protect his eyes because of a burst blood vessel.

SOURCE: Reuters