French President Emmanuel Macron launched a fierce attack on Donald Trump at the Davos meeting, asserting that Europe will not become subservient or be intimidated by trade war threats after the U.S. leader threatened a 200% tax on wine and champagne if Greenland is not ceded, while preparing immediate retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports.
At the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron strongly countered U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, declaring clearly that Europe will not yield to "bullies" or authoritarian coercion.
Macron appeared in a suit wearing aviator sunglasses, which the presidential office said were to protect his eyes from a broken blood vessel. He delivered a forceful speech stating that France and Europe will not passively accept the "rule of the strong," as that would mean accepting a status as a "vassal state."
"We prefer respect over harassment, and we choose the rule of law over savagery," Macron said amid mounting pressure from the U.S., which threatened to impose broad tariffs on European goods starting February 1 if Denmark and its European allies refuse to accept the U.S. proposal to buy Greenland.
Relations between the two leaders collapsed after Trump threatened to impose a 200% tax on French wine and champagne to pressure Macron into joining the "Board of Peace," a new international organization Trump wants to lead.
Additionally, Trump seriously breached diplomatic protocol by posting a screenshot of private messages exchanged with Macron on Truth Social. In the messages, Macron said, "I don’t understand what you are doing with Greenland," which Macron’s close aides confirmed as authentic.
Meanwhile, European Union leaders plan an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 22 Jan 2024 GMT+7, to discuss Greenland and possible countermeasures, including tariffs. Key points include preparing to impose tariffs on U.S. goods worth €93 billion starting 6 Feb 2024 GMT+7.
Macron is advocating for the use of an "anti-coercion" tool that would limit U.S. companies’ access to government procurement bids and restrict trade in services on technology platforms.
Macron confirmed he will depart Davos on Wednesday evening as originally scheduled and will not extend his stay to meet Trump, who arrives on Wednesday. "I don’t need to change my schedule," he said.
Close associates of the French leader believe Trump’s targeted attacks against Macron stem from Macron becoming a leader in resisting efforts to uphold democracy and territorial sovereignty in Europe, thus blocking Trump’s Greenland acquisition ambitions.
/sourceReuters