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New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Europe would not be intimidated or "give in to bullies", his strongest rebuke yet of US President Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe blocks a US takeover of Greenland. Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 per cent on French wine and champagne.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macron said France and Europe would not "passively accept the law of the strongest", warning that doing so would amount to "vassalisation". He said Europe would continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law even as the global order shifts towards what he described as a more brutal, rules-free environment.
"We prefer respect to bullies," Macron said. "We prefer the rule of law to brutality."
His remarks came after Trump's threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including France, unless the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland from February 1. Macron said the "endless accumulation" of tariffs was unacceptable, particularly when used as leverage over territorial sovereignty.
Earlier in his address, Macron opened with a note of irony, describing the current moment as "a time of peace, stability and predictability", prompting laughter from the audience. He quickly added, however, that the world was entering a period of growing instability and imbalance, both economically and in terms of security.
"The world is experiencing a shift towards a world without rules, where international law is trampled and where the only law that matters is that of the strongest," Macron said, warning against what he described as "new imperialism" and "new colonialism".
European countries, meanwhile, are weighing countermeasures over Trump's tariff threat over Greenland.
