'Prefer rule of law to brutality': On Trump's 200% tariff, France's Macron says won't give in to bullies

French president Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Europe would not be intimidated or "give in to bullies," delivering his strongest rebuke yet of US president Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe blocks a US takeover of Greenland.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macron said France and Europe would not "passively accept the law of the strongest," warning that doing so would amount to "vassalisation," news agency Reuters reported. Europe, he added, would continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, even as the global order shifts toward what he described as a more brutal, rules-free environment.




Macron's remarks contrasted with the more measured tone adopted by several other European leaders seeking to avoid escalation in the transatlantic dispute. His comments came after Trump threatened tariffs of up to 200% on French wine and champagne and later published screenshots of private messages exchanged with Macron.

"We prefer respect to bullies," Macron said.

"We prefer the rule of law to brutality," he added.

Trump has vowed to roll out escalating tariffs from February 1 on eight European nations, including France, unless the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland. Macron said the "endless accumulation" of tariffs was fundamentally unacceptable, particularly when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.