‘US Tariffs Aim To Weaken Europe’: Macron Hits Back At Trump At Davos WEF | World News

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized U.S. trade practices on Tuesday, saying Washington’s tariff threats are “clearly aimed at weakening and subordinating Europe” while also serving as leverage against regional sovereignty, a subtle nod to President Donald Trump’s proposal to annex Greenland.

In his speech at the 56th Annual World Economic Forum Summit in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the increasing global instability and imbalances covering security, defense and economic areas.

“It is clear that we are heading towards a period of instability and imbalances, both in security, defense and economic terms,” ​​he said, quoting ANI.

The French President has warned that global competition will become ‘relentless’ without collective governance. He took aim at US trade policies aimed at eroding European interests by demanding high concessions and new tariffs, calling such tactics ‘fundamentally unacceptable’.

French President Macron said: “This is clearly a worrying period, as we have lost the perspective needed to improve the situation. Without collective management, cooperation leads to relentless competition. US-led competition through trade agreements undermines our commercial interests, demands maximum concessions and openly seeks to weaken and subordinate Europe, combined with an endless barrage of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable, especially when used as a trump card against regional sovereignty.” he said.

He warned of a global shift “toward autocracy rather than democracy,” pointing to increased violence and more wars by 2024, but noted that some were “resolved,” a reference to President Trump’s repeated claims to end eight conflicts.

Macron said: “There is a shift towards autocracy rather than democracy. More violence, more than 60 wars in 2024, an absolute record. I hear that some of them have been resolved… Conflicts have become normalized with the spread of hybrid threats into new areas such as space, information, digital cyber, trade and beyond.” he said.
He also stated that there is a ‘transition towards a world without rules, where international law is violated and the only law that matters is the law of the strongest’, adding that imperial ambitions have resurfaced.

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Macron also cited Middle East and African conflicts, as well as Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, now in its fourth year, as clear evidence of the weakening of collective governance.
“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which will enter its fourth year next month, continues along with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa… It signals a shift towards a world devoid of effective collective governance, where multilateralism is weakened by powers blocking or abandoning it,” the French President said. he said.

Macron’s remarks come amid global uncertainty fueled by Washington’s tariff threats against France and seven other European countries if they do not agree to sell Greenland.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump suggested negotiating but warned that if no agreement is reached, tariffs would be increased by 10% starting February 1, 2026, and 25% starting June 1, 2026.
While interacting with the media, Trump warned of a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne exports after Macron refused to join the Gaza Peace Board, which aims to promote stability and post-conflict reconstruction.

When asked about Macron’s rejection, Trump said: “No one wants him because he will be out of office soon.” “I will impose a 200% tax on their wine and champagne, then they will participate, but there is no need for that,” the US President added.

Macron’s current five-year term expires in May 2027 and he cannot seek a third term under French law, fueling speculation amid trans-Atlantic friction.

 

(with ANI entries)