French President Emmanuel Macron delivered one of his strongest warnings yet about the future of the global order during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, cautioning that the world is drifting toward a “lawless environment” where economic tools are increasingly weaponized. Europe, he argued, must be prepared to defend itself against economic coercion, particularly from the United States, by activating the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument if necessary.
Macron’s remarks were widely interpreted as a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose new tariffs on several European countries amid disputes over Greenland. Macron condemned the use of trade measures as leverage in territorial and security disputes, calling such practices unacceptable between long-standing allies.
A world entering instability
According to Macron, the international system is entering a period of growing instability characterized by the return of imperial ambitions, the rise of authoritarian governance, and the normalization of conflict as a political tool. In this environment, trade policy is no longer merely economic, but increasingly strategic.
Macron warned that unilateral actions by major powers risk undermining multilateral institutions and weakening the rules-based international order. He suggested that the United States is increasingly using economic pressure to force political concessions from Europe, a trend that could fundamentally alter transatlantic relations.
Tariffs as a strategic weapon
The Trump administration has signaled that it may impose ten percent tariffs on imports from a range of European countries, including France, Germany, Denmark, and several Nordic states, starting as early as February. Macron described these threats as particularly dangerous because they target close allies and are linked to broader geopolitical demands.
At the center of the dispute lies Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly described as strategically essential for U.S. national security. European leaders reject this framing, emphasizing that Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and that its sovereignty is not open to negotiation.
Europe’s countermeasure
Macron announced that he would seek the activation of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument should U.S. tariff threats materialize. The mechanism would allow the European Union to impose targeted restrictions on trade and services in response to economic pressure aimed at forcing policy changes. Although the instrument has never been used, Macron argued that the current situation justifies serious consideration.
EU leaders are expected to convene an emergency summit in Brussels to coordinate their response. Macron stressed that only a united Europe can effectively resist pressure from global powers and protect its strategic autonomy.
Analytical conclusion
Macron’s speech in Davos signals a decisive shift in Europe’s posture toward Washington. Rather than absorbing economic pressure in the name of alliance unity, Paris is openly advocating a more assertive response. The dispute over Greenland has become emblematic of a broader struggle over the future of global governance. Europe now faces a critical choice: accept a subordinate role in a world dominated by power politics, or actively defend its sovereignty within an increasingly unstable international system.