What to recollect from Emmanuel Macron’s speech on the Davos Economic Forum | EUROtoday

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tuesday January 20, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, described “a period of instability and imbalances from a security and economic point of view”. The head of state responded to a sequence of invectives from his American counterpart, Donald Trump. Facing the United States, Emmanuel Macron notably referred to as for refusing the “law of the strongest”denouncing ae “drifts in the direction of autocracy and extra violence “, Or “conflict has become the norm”. We enter into “ a lawless world where international law is flouted,” he added.

In a flurry of publications on his Truth Social community and remarks made to journalists earlier than his journey to the Swiss Alps resort, the American president brandished a brand new risk of prohibitive customs duties on flagship merchandise of French exports: “I am going to put 200% customs duties on its wines and champagnes. And he will adhere to it. But he is not obliged to adhere to it »he said to Emmanuel Macron.

Imperial ambitions

In response to these customs duties, the latter notably cited the anti-coercion instrument of the European Union (EU), which aims to respond to any country which uses commercial weapons to put pressure on one of the 27 member states. “Europe has very powerful tools and we must use them when we are not respected and when the rules of the game are not respected”he defined.

Emmanuel Macron also noted the importance of respecting a “European preference”. “Europe must strengthen its trade defense instruments”including through “mirror measurements” For “enforce regulatory standards” and an increase in “foreign direct investment”. “European competitiveness still lags behind that of the United States”, noted the French president, calling for “react” to the rise of Chinese competitiveness.

In addition to the commercial aspect, the head of state denounced the imperial ambitions which “resurface”. He said he preferred “respect rather than bullies”And “the rule of law rather than brutality”in reference to Donald Trump’s desires on Greenland. Several European leaders and Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, are in Davos this week where they hope to convince the American president to abandon his threats against the territory under the sovereignty of Denmark, a member country of the EU and the Atlantic Alliance.

Emmanuel Macron deplored the entry into “a world where multilateralism is still weakened”and in which “competition is becoming more and more arduous, more and more difficult, in particular with the United States which is demanding more and more significant concessions and seeking to weaken Europe”. To address these issues, he called for “more cooperation to build new approaches and stronger strategic and economic sovereignty, particularly in Europe”.

The G7, a “forum for frank dialogue”

“France and Europe are committed to national sovereignty and independence, and to the United Nations and their charter”also underlined the French president while his American counterpart wants to create a new “Peace Council” world completely in its control. Donald Trump particularly targeted his French counterpart, ridiculed for his refusal to join the “Peace Council”launched at the initiative of Donald Trump as part of the American plan to bring about an end to the war led by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

“Europe must defend multilateralism, which serves our interests and the interests of all those who refuse to submit to brute force,” hammered the French president, taking as an example the European mission carried out in Greenland by several European countries. He said he wanted to make the G7, which France chairs this year, a “forum for frank dialogue” and for “collective and cooperative solutions”.

If Europe must resolve “its major problems”said Emmanuel Macron, citing in particular a lack of growth, it remains “a place where the rule of law and predictability are still the norm”. Although Europe is “sometimes too slow and definitely in need of reform”, “a predictable, loyal place, where the rule of law remains the rule of the game, is a good place for today and tomorrow”he added.