Macron takes sharp swipe at Trump amid tariff threats, says prefer respect over bullying

France's President Emmanuel Macron attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos. (Image: Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday took a sharp swipe at US President Donald Trump and said Europe would not give in to bullies or be intimidated after Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs if Europe does not let him take over Greenland.

While other European leaders have tried to keep a measured tone to prevent the trans-Atlantic dispute from escalating, Macron came out swinging.

France and Europe, will not "passively accept the law of the strongest," Macron said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that doing otherwise would lead to their "vassalization", Reuters reported.

Speaking at WEF, Macron reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to national sovereignty, multilateral institutions and international law, at a time when US President Donald Trump has threatened punitive tariffs and floated controversial territorial ambitions, including plans to take control of Greenland.

Instead, he said, Europe will continue to stand up for territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, despite what he called a shift towards a world without rules. That could include the EU responding with its own steep trade sanctions.

"We do prefer respect to bullies," Macron said. "And we do prefer rule of law to brutality."

Why did the French PM wear aviator sunglasses?

Macron wore aviator sunglasses during his speech, which the Elysee Palace said was to protect his eyes because of a burst blood vessel.

He delivered the speech after Trump threatened huge tariffs against French wine and champagne and posted private messages from Macron, an unusual breach of diplomatic discretion.

Trump had already vowed on Saturday to implement a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on several European allies, including France, until the US is allowed to acquire Greenland, a step major EU states decried as blackmail.

Washington's "endless accumulation" of new tariffs is "fundamentally unacceptable," Macron said in Davos, "even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty".

“France and Europe are attached to sovereignty and independence, to the United Nations and its charter," Macron said, warning that the world is drifting towards a disorderly system marked by weakening collective governance and unrestrained competition.