DAVOS, Switzerland — French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sharp rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff rhetoric at the 2026 World Economic Forum, accusing Washington of using punitive trade measures as leverage against allied nations and threatening the rules-based international order. Macron told assembled world leaders and business executives that Europe “would not give in to bullies” and reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to upholding legal norms amid rising geopolitical instability.
Macron’s comments came in the context of Trump’s threats to impose steep tariffs—including a proposed 200 % tariff on French wine and champagne—on European exports unless countries acquiesce to U.S. pressure on Greenland. The French president condemned such tactics as “fundamentally unacceptable” and warned against a global shift “towards the law of the strongest” that could undermine democratic alliances and cooperative governance.
The strong remarks reflect mounting tension between Washington and key European capitals, with Macron urging unity among EU states and exploring use of European trade tools to respond to coercive tariffs. He emphasized that strategic disputes—including over Arctic sovereignty and Greenland—should be resolved through diplomacy rather than economic intimidation.
Macron’s stance resonated with other NATO members at Davos, as leaders reiterated support for collective defence and warned that fractious trade disputes risk weakening transatlantic cooperation, news as reported.
