French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the United States to end its tariffs on European goods, saying “we do prefer respect to bullies”.
The European Union could impose economic counter-measures under the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, Macron said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. U.S. President Donald Trump has said tariffs on several European countries will continue to rise until the U.S. can purchase Greenland.
“We do believe that we need more growth, we need more stability in this world,” said Macron. “But we do prefer respect to bullies. We do prefer science to plotism, and we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
Macron also called for greater cooperation among European countries and respect for international bodies. “Without collective governance, cooperation gives way to relentless competition,” he said.
“Competition from the United States of America through trade agreements that undermine our export interests, demand maximum concessions and openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe, combined with an endless accumulation of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable — even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.”
The address comes as Trump calls for countries including France, Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom to receive additional tariffs until the U.S. is able to buy Greenland. A 10% tariff will be added on 1 February, rising to 25% on 1 June.
The EU is considering using its Anti-Coercion Instrument as a potential retaliatory measure. This would exclude U.S. companies from public tenders and add import and export restrictions, and could limit foreign direct investment.
France has sent military personnel to Greenland, alongside several other European NATO members, to conduct joint exercises this month.
This also follows Trump’s threat to add 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes this week.
Trump said these tariffs would push Macron to join his Board of Peace effort to administer Gaza. While Macron has been invited, he reportedly plans to refuse.
