Macron: Europe won't surrender to bullies after Trump posts messages

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Europe "will not surrender to bullies or give in to intimidation," in a sharp criticism of his US counterpart Donald Trump's threat to impose high tariffs on European countries if they do not allow him to control the Danish island of Greenland.

While other European leaders tried to maintain a balanced tone to prevent escalating tensions with Trump, Macron said Tuesday during his participation in the World Economic Forum in the Swiss city of Davos that France and Europe will not "accept the law of the strongest."

The French President added that Europe will continue to defend territorial integrity and the rule of law, despite what he described as a shift towards a lawless world. This could include the European Union responding by imposing strict trade sanctions.

Macron's statements came after the US President threatened to impose huge tariffs on French wine and champagne and published personal messages Macron had sent him, an unusual move in diplomacy between world leaders.

Trump had pledged last Saturday to implement a wave of escalating tariffs starting in early February on a number of European allies, including France, until they allow the United States to acquire Greenland.

Major EU countries condemned Trump's announcement, calling it blackmail, and the EU is scheduled to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday evening to discuss the Greenland issue.

The French President said today that the EU should not hesitate to use the anti-coercion instrument in the face of President Trump's threats to impose tariffs related to the Greenland file.

Macron is scheduled to leave Davos this evening without meeting Trump. In contrast, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced his intention to meet the US President, emphasizing his desire to "avoid a customs escalation."

Trump had published a screenshot of messages between him and Macron on his Truth Social account on Monday. In the image of the messages, which a source close to Macron said were genuine, the French President told Trump, "I do not understand what you are doing regarding Greenland."

The published messages indicate that Macron offered Trump to hold a G7 meeting in Paris on January 22nd, following the Davos summit, and that the French President could invite Ukraine, Syria, Denmark, and Russia to the group's meeting.

According to the same messages, Macron also extended an invitation to Trump for dinner in Paris before his return to the United States.