The French President leads the European resistance, condemning Trump’s territorial ambition as an archaic and dangerous violation of sovereignty.

If Donald Trump thought Europe would roll over, Emmanuel Macron just corrected him. In a fiery address that has set the tone for the European response, the French President slammed the US administration's pursuit of Greenland as a "new colonial approach" that has no place in the 21st century. Speaking ahead of his trip to Davos, Macron framed the dispute not as a real estate negotiation, but as a fundamental battle for the respect of sovereign nations.

"To think one can buy a people, a culture, and a territory with tariffs is an insult to history," Macron declared. His sharp rebuke comes after Trump publicly ridiculed him on social media, claiming "nobody wants him" and threatening 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne. The personal animosity between the two leaders has spilled over into policy, endangering the entire Western alliance.

"A Board of Peace" or a Trade War?

Macron also revealed that his refusal to join Trump’s proposed "Gaza Board of Peace" was another flashpoint. The US President seems intent on punishing dissent with economic pain. By linking geopolitical alignment to trade tariffs, the US is weaponizing the dollar in a way that risks alienating its oldest friends.

• The Wines: The threat of 200% tariffs on Champagne is a direct aim at the French heartland. It is a tactic Trump used in his first term, and one he knows hurts Macron politically at home.
• The Unity: Macron’s strong stance is designed to stiffen the spines of other EU leaders. He is arguing that if they yield on Greenland today, it will be another demand tomorrow.

The View from Africa

Macron's use of the term "colonial" resonates deeply in Africa. It highlights the hypocrisy of the West, which often lectures the Global South on sovereignty while engaging in territorial horse-trading. If the US can openly discuss buying a territory in 2026, it sets a chilling precedent for weaker nations globally. The "might is right" doctrine is back, and Macron is standing in the breach.