Macron urges EU to embrace ‘Greenland moment’ for greater strength
French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that Europe should prepare for increased instances of US hostility, urging that the “Greenland moment” be seen as a wake-up call to implement long-overdue reforms aimed at bolstering the bloc’s global influence. In an interview, the French leader stated that the European Union should not confuse a temporary reduction in tensions with Washington for a permanent change, despite a halt in US threats regarding Greenland, trade, and technology. Macron urged EU leaders to use a summit in a Belgian castle this week to inject fresh energy into economic reforms to bolster the bloc’s competitiveness and strengthen its ability to stand up to China and the United States on the world stage. “When there’s a clear act of aggression, I think what we should do isn’t bow down or try to reach a settlement,” Macron told. “We have implemented that strategy for several months now. “It’s not working,”
Macron remarked that the Trump administration was “openly anti-European” and was pursuing the EU’s “dismemberment”. He expressed his expectation of ongoing tensions with the Trump administration, particularly regarding Europe’s regulation of digital technology. “The US will, in the coming months – that’s certain – attack us over digital regulation,” Macron added, warning of potential US import tariffs from US President Donald Trump should the EU use its Digital Services Act to control tech companies. ‘Europe needs protection, not protectionism’ Macron stated that Europe needed to enhance its resilience in response to the dual challenge posed by the United States and China. We are witnessing the Chinese tsunami on the trade front, coupled with minute-by-minute instability on the American side. “These two crises amount to a profound shock – a rupture for Europeans,” he continued.
Macron, whose second term finishes in spring 2027, reiterated his appeal for the EU to pursue greater common borrowing to enable the bloc of 27 nations to invest at scale and confront the dominance of the US dollar. The EU utilized joint debt in 2020 to revitalize the European economy following the COVID-19 pandemic; however, France’s efforts to establish such mechanisms on a permanent basis have encountered significant opposition from Germany and other more fiscally conservative northern member states.
Thursday’s summit will feature discussions on French-led initiatives for a “Made in Europe” strategy aimed at establishing minimum standards for European content in domestically produced goods. The strategy has divided EU nations and raised concerns among automakers. “For me, the economic strategy to make our Europe a power lies in what I call protection, which is not protectionism, but rather European preference,” Macron said.
