Accepting the “law of the strongest” would leave the continent vassalized by Washington, the French president has said
French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European nations not to accept a new global order ruled by those with the “bigger stick,” amid rising tensions with US President Donald Trump over his push to acquire Greenland.
Trump has warned that he’ll take the Danish overseas territory the “easy way” or the “hard way.” Last week, he announced 10% tariffs on eight European NATO nations, including France, for opposing the bid, and threatened to later raise the levies to 25% if Greenland is not sold to the US.
In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Macron warned European countries against accepting “the law of the strongest” and submitting to “vassalization.”
“Let’s not accept a global order which will be decided by those who claim to have the bigger voice or the bigger stick,” he said, addressing the audience in English.
“Let’s not waste time with crazy ideas. Let’s not open Pandora’s box.”
Macron accused the US of undermining European nations’ trade interests with maximalist demands and tariffs that openly aim to weaken and subordinate them. Europe has to protect its chemical and automotive sectors that are “being literally killed,” he said.
The EU “should not hesitate” to deploy its so far unused Anti-Coercion Instrument in response to Trump’s escalating tariffs over Greenland, he said. The measure is designed to restrict trade and investments, as well as potentially shut off access to the EU single market in the event of a trade war.
The EU is also considering imposing a €93 billion ($109 billion) package of retaliatory tariffs on US imports drawn up last year during the bloc’s trade standoff with Washington. The measures were set aside following a bilateral trade deal, but could kick in on February 6 after a six-month suspension, Reuters wrote earlier this week, citing a diplomat.
EU leaders are set to convene on Thursday to discuss retaliatory options.