At the Davos Economic Forum, Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes in response to Emmanuel Macron's refusal to join his 'Peace Council'. The European Union froze ratification of the US trade deal and promised a united response. Macron denounced US competition aimed at 'weakening and subordinating Europe'.
The World Economic Forum in Davos, opening on January 20, 2026, is overshadowed by transatlantic tensions fueled by Donald Trump's ambitions for Greenland. The US president announced a surprise press conference at 7 PM French time, declaring: 'You'll see how far I can go' to acquire the Arctic island, a Danish autonomous territory. He threatened eight European countries, including France, the UK, and Germany, with 10% tariffs from February 1, then 25% in June, due to their opposition to his acquisition plan.
Trump targeted France specifically, imposing 200% duties on wines and champagnes after Macron's refusal to join his 'Peace Council', an alternative to the UN. He posted private messages from Macron on Truth Social proposing a G7 in Paris on Thursday, with Russians, Ukrainians, Danes, and Syrians on the sidelines. Macron's entourage confirmed authenticity, stressing Greenland's sovereignty is 'non-negotiable'.
In his Davos speech, Emmanuel Macron denounced US 'competition' seeking to 'weaken and subordinate Europe', calling to activate the EU's anti-coercion instrument, dubbed a 'bazooka'. Ursula von der Leyen hammered that Greenland's sovereignty is 'non-negotiable' and promised a 'firm' response. The European Parliament froze ratification of the 2025 EU-US trade deal.
European stock markets fell: CAC 40 -0.67%, DAX -1.03%. Canada and Lithuania back Denmark. Zelensky worries about diverting attention from Ukraine. Trump claims without him, NATO would be 'in the dustbin of history'.
