Accepting the “law of the strongest” would leave the continent vassalized by Washington, the French president has said
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European nations not to embrace a new global order dictated by those wielding the ‘bigger stick,’ as tensions mount with US President Donald Trump over his bid to acquire Greenland.
Trump has warned he’ll obtain the Danish overseas territory either ‘the easy way’ or ‘the hard way.’ Last week, he imposed a 10% tariff on eight European NATO nations, including France, for opposing the bid, and threatened to hike the tariffs to 25% if Greenland isn’t sold to the US.
In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Macron cautioned European countries against accepting ‘the law of the strongest’ and succumbing to ‘vassalization’.
“Let’s not accept a global order determined by those claiming to have a louder voice or a bigger stick,” he said, addressing the audience in English.
“Let’s not squander time on crazy notions. Let’s not open Pandora’s box.”
Macron accused the US of undermining European nations’ trade interests through maximalist demands and tariffs explicitly aimed at weakening and subordinating them. He stated that Europe must safeguard its chemical and automotive sectors, which are ‘being literally destroyed’.
He said the EU ‘should not hesitate’ to deploy its hitherto unused Anti-Coercion Instrument in response to Trump’s escalating tariffs over Greenland. This measure is intended to restrict trade and investments and could potentially close access to the EU single market in case of a trade war.
The EU is also contemplating imposing a €93 billion ($109 billion) package of retaliatory tariffs on US imports formulated last year during the bloc’s trade standoff with Washington. Reuters reported earlier this week, citing a diplomat, that these measures were put aside after a bilateral trade deal but could take effect on February 6 after a six-month suspension.
EU leaders are scheduled to gather on Thursday to discuss retaliatory options.