Davos: French Says World Needs Law, Not Power Politics
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Paris
- Jan 20, 2026
- 626
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday issued a firm response to former US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 200 per cent tariff on French wine, stating that France believes in respect, not intimidation. Macron made the remarks while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Referring to the ongoing dispute over Greenland, Macron warned that threatening Europe with sanctions—particularly as a means to pressure a nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty—is unacceptable under any circumstances.
He cautioned that a world in which international law is ignored is inherently dangerous, allowing powerful nations to act without restraint while weaker countries bear the consequences.
“This should be a time of peace, stability and trust,” Macron said, drawing laughter from the audience before acknowledging that the reality is starkly different.
Macron noted that the global order is becoming increasingly unstable, both economically and in terms of security. He pointed out that wars continue to rage across several regions and that democratic values are weakening in many countries, giving way to authoritarian tendencies.
Without naming the United States directly, Macron criticised Washington’s trade practices, accusing it of entering agreements that harm European businesses, impose excessive conditions and seek to undermine Europe’s economic strength. He described the repeated imposition of new tariffs as “absolutely unacceptable,” especially when used as tools to pressure a nation’s land and sovereignty.
Emphasising France’s commitment to independence and national sovereignty, Macron said this stance is not outdated but rooted in the lessons learned from World War II. At the same time, he stressed that global cooperation remains essential and that progress can only be achieved collectively.
Addressing France’s participation in military exercises in Greenland, Macron clarified that the move was not meant to intimidate anyone, but rather to demonstrate solidarity with Denmark, a close European ally.
The remarks followed Trump’s threat on Monday to levy a 200 per cent tariff on French wine and champagne, reportedly in response to France’s refusal to join the proposed Gaza Peace Board. Trump claimed that such tariffs would pressure Macron into compliance and suggested that the French president’s political position was weakening.
Trump has also announced the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and invited 60 countries to join the initiative. On Tuesday, he further escalated tensions by sharing a screenshot of a private message from Macron on social media.
The dispute intensified after France sharply criticised Trump’s reported attempt to annex Greenland. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the proposal, arguing that Greenland could face future threats from Russia and that US involvement would be justified under NATO obligations.
France mocked the statement. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in a post on its official X account, likened Bessent’s reasoning to arguing that a house should be burned down now simply because it might catch fire someday.