French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday rejected U.S. threats of tariffs on European countries over Greenland, calling them “unacceptable” and underscoring France’s commitment to the sovereignty and independence of nations.
In a statement, Macron said France’s foreign and security policies are guided by respect for national sovereignty, the United Nations, and its Charter. He reaffirmed Paris’s support for Ukraine and for a coalition of countries committed to lasting peace in Europe.
“It is on this basis that we have decided to join the exercise decided by Denmark in Greenland,” Macron said. “We stand by this decision. Especially because it concerns security in the Arctic and at the frontiers of our Europe.”
Macron added that no intimidation or threat will influence France’s decisions, whether in Ukraine, Greenland, or elsewhere. “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” he said, emphasizing that European countries would respond in a “united and coordinated manner” if such measures were implemented.
“France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of Nations, in Europe as elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our attachment to the United Nations and to our Charter. It is on this basis that we support and will continue to support Ukraine, and that we have built a coalition of the willing for a robust and lasting peace, to defend these principles and our security. It is also on this basis that we have decided to join the exercise decided by Denmark in Greenland. We stand by this decision. Especially because it concerns security in the Arctic and at the frontiers of our Europe. No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations. Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty. It is in this spirit that I will speak with our European partners.”
The French leader also said he would consult European partners to ensure a coordinated response and safeguard European sovereignty.
The remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 10% on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, citing Greenland as critical to U.S. national security and global defense. Trump said the tariffs would rise to 25% by June 1 unless Greenland is sold to the United States.
France, like several other European nations, has increased military and training activities in Greenland under Danish leadership, alongside NATO allies, aimed at enhancing Arctic security and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Macron’s comments signal firm opposition to Trump’s measures, framing them as inconsistent with international allowances and European strategic interests.
