Macron Warns of Global Instability, Criticizes US Tariff Threats in Fiery WEF Address

DAVOS, Switzerland – French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a pointed critique of US President Donald Trump’s policies during his special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday, accusing the United States of using tariff threats as leverage against European territorial sovereignty amid escalating tensions over Greenland. Macron, speaking amid a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and geopolitical friction, emphasized the need for renewed multilateralism and warned against a world dominated by “the law of the strongest.”

The speech came hours after Trump publicly shared a private text message from Macron questioning the US stance on Greenland, where Trump has renewed interest in acquiring the Danish territory for security reasons. Trump retaliated by threatening 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne, escalating a series of disputes ahead of his own appearance at Davos.

Macron’s remarks highlighted broader concerns about US economic aggression aimed at “weakening and subordinating Europe,” including endless tariffs and demands for concessions. He sarcastically opened by noting the current era as one of “peace, stability, and predictability,” before delving into the realities of instability, including over 60 ongoing wars and a shift toward autocracy.

In a clear jab at Trump, who has claimed credit for resolving several conflicts, Macron quipped that “even though I understand a few of them were fixed.” He described US tariff threats as “fundamentally unacceptable,” particularly when used against allies like Denmark over Greenland. France, alongside Germany, has supported Denmark by sending troops to the Arctic island in a show of solidarity.

Macron rejected passive acceptance of “the law of the strongest” or a “new colonial approach,” urging Europe to build economic sovereignty through protection, simplification, and investment. He criticized Europe’s naivety in trade, noting that no other market is as open without enforcing level playing fields, and called for stronger use of anti-coercion tools against unfair practices from the US and China.

As France assumes the G7 presidency in 2026, Macron outlined ambitions to address global imbalances, including American overconsumption, Chinese overinvestment, and European underinvestment. He stressed that trade wars produce only losers and advocated for cooperation over confrontation.

Closing his address, Macron affirmed: “We do prefer respect to bullies. We do prefer science to conspiracy. We do prefer rule of law to brutality.”