Macron rebels against Trump: "We prefer respect to bullies"

BrusselsEurope is beginning to raise its voice against Donald Trump, following his constant threats and the US president's recent publication of [a statement/article/etc.]. private messages from Emmanuel MacronThe French president has harshly criticized the Republican leader and, echoing Ursula von der Leyen, has advocated for a sovereign European Union, especially in relation to Washington. "We cannot accept a world order decided by those who claim to have a more powerful voice. [...] We prefer respect to bullies," the French leader emphasized in a rather harsh speech at the Davos Forum against the US president. Beyond indirectly labeling Trump a "bully," Macron described as "crazy" the potential situation in which the EU would have to apply harsh countermeasures against the United States because it wants to raise tariffs on European allies again. "That would be the consequence of unpredictability and pointless aggression," the French president pointed out. Macron also contrasted Europe, where "predictability and respect for the rule of law" reign, with a world "where international law is trampled and where the only law that seems to matter is that of the strongest, and imperialist ambitions are resurfacing." In this regard, the French president championed the European Union, with all its virtues and flaws, as a powerful economic area with great potential. "We need more stability, [...] and we prefer the rule of law to brutality. You are welcome in Europe," he added.

Macron has also called for the EU to stop bowing to the United States and criticized the European bloc's "concessions" at the White House, arguing that they are "harming" European competitiveness, as with the trade agreement signed last summer and the new tariffs Trump now wants to impose. "They have the clear objective of weakening and subordinating Europe, and that is absolutely unacceptable, especially when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty," he emphasized. Along the same lines, the French president advocated for accelerating the "Europe First" policy that the European Commission is promoting to "protect" the European market from the United States and China. "Protection does not mean protectionism," he insisted. He also pointed out that European companies do not access the Chinese or American markets as readily as the EU does, and lamented that, for example, Germany has a trade deficit with China for the first time. "That, for me, should change the rules of the game; we must solve this problem," the French president stated.

Von der Leyen bares her teeth at Trump

For her part, Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that the United States is not only an "ally" of the European Union, but even a "friend," and has affirmed that her priority is preserving transatlantic relations. However, the President of the European Commission, who is one of the EU leaders most lukewarm in her stance toward Donald Trump, also sets limits on the US president's actions in relation to her own. constant threats against GreenlandThe head of the European Commission strongly defended Denmark's "sovereignty" and warned that the EU does not intend to back down in the face of the Pentagon's intentions to seize the Arctic island, even if it means restarting the trade war between the two powers.Our response will be firm."Unitary and proportional," Von der Leyen warned on Tuesday in an appearance at the Davos Forum.

The President of the European Commission recalled that Brussels and Washington had already signed a trade agreement last summerAnd she criticized the United States for now threatening to break the agreement. "A pact is a pact. And when friends shake hands, it means something," the German leader retorted, calling the additional tariffs Trump wants to impose a "mistake." Aside from the tariffs, Von der Leyen has stood shoulder to shoulder with Greenland and insisted that "the sovereignty and integrity [of the Kingdom of Denmark] are non-negotiable." Furthermore, the President of the European Commission has once again extended an olive branch to the United States to "work" together. for the safety of the Arcticwhich is what theoretically worries Trump, and she has said that she is working on new EU investments on the island. "Clearly, it is a common interest," the head of the European Commission emphasized.

In the midst of the transatlantic crisis, Von der Leyen also insisted that Europe must achieve, once and for all, "independence" from Russia and China, but also from the United States. "Europe must accelerate the path towards military, economic, and democratic independence. The fact is that the world has changed forever, and we must change with it," the President of the European Commission stressed.

The German leader, however, focused primarily on the lack of military autonomy and, therefore, the European bloc's dependence on the Pentagon in the field of security since the end of World War II. Von der Leyen welcomed the recent shift in European mindsets on this issue—both due to Trump and Vladimir Putin—and asserted that the EU has accomplished more in this sector "in one year than in decades." The head of the European Commission defended Brussels' major rearmament plan, which aims to mobilize 800 billion euros in four yearsShe indicated that the European Commission will present a new military strategy later this year, intended to pave the way for greater European autonomy. However, the dependence of European allies on the US remains significant, and, for example, Von der Leyen hopes to "work closely" with the White House on Ukraine's security and a potential peace agreement. In this context of a crisis in transatlantic relations, as well as the rupture with Russia and the growing threat posed by China, the European Union is focused on finding alternative and reliable trade partners. In this regard, the President of the European Commission highlighted the Mercosur agreement, which she signed this past Saturday in Paraguay, and reiterated the EU's intention to sign another trade agreement. "There is still work to be done. But we are on the verge of a historic trade agreement. Some consider it the mother of all agreements," said Von der Leyen, who emphasized that it will create a joint market of 2 billion people. Both sides have been optimistic about a potential agreement for days, and they expect to make significant progress in the negotiations at the EU-India summit in New Delhi on January 27.