Macron Takes Bold Stand Against Trump’s Greenland Policy at World Economic Forum
By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi | Accra, Ghana. for GhanaianNewsCanada 24/1/2026
Davos, Switzerland — French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a striking message at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) this week, openly challenging U.S. President Donald Trump over diplomatic tensions sparked by Trump’s controversial approach to the Arctic island of Greenland and threats of steep tariffs on European allies.
Addressing a gathering of world leaders, business executives and policymakers on January 20, Macron made it clear that Europe will not yield to coercion or intimidation, framing his comments as a defense of democratic principles and the rule of law. “We prefer respect to bullies and the **rule of law to brutality,” the French leader said, in a veiled but firm rebuke of Trump’s recent actions that have strained relations between the United States and its NATO allies.
The remarks came amid a growing diplomatic dispute triggered by Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland an autonomous territory of Denmark and a strategic part of NATO’s Arctic presence and his threat to impose tariffs as high as 200 per cent on European goods if his territorial aims were blocked. Macron has repeatedly rejected such threats as unacceptable and counterproductive.
Macron’s address in Davos underscored Europe’s insistence on a world order governed by international law and cooperation, as opposed to brinkmanship and unilateral pressure. He emphasized that European nations should stand together in defending their interests, while also advocating for stronger economic and strategic autonomy within the bloc.
The French president’s stance reflects wider European concerns about the direction of transatlantic relations under Trump’s leadership. In recent days, several EU leaders have expressed united opposition to Trump’s tariff threats and foreign policy rhetoric, warning that such moves risk undermining longstanding security and trade partnerships.
While Trump stopped short of provoking a full diplomatic rupture, the confrontation over Greenland and trade issues has highlighted deepening divisions within NATO and between North America and Europe. The dispute also prompted emergency discussions among EU officials about deploying economic countermeasures and reinforcing sovereign decision-making within the alliance.
Macron’s comments in Davos come at a critical time as global leaders seek to navigate heightened geopolitical tensions, with the world watching closely how Europe and the United States will balance cooperation with national interests in the months ahead.
