French President Emmanuel Macron took the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday wearing aviator sunglasses, drawing attention even before he launched into sharp criticism of President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.
Macron used his address to global leaders to condemn the Trump administration’s tariffs and broader trade policies, accusing the United States of deliberately working to weaken Europe’s position on the world stage.
During his speech, Macron argued that Trump’s actions “openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe,” reflecting growing frustration among European leaders over the administration’s aggressive trade posture.
The remarks came amid rising tensions between Washington and several European capitals following the announcement of new U.S. tariffs targeting a wide range of European goods.
Macron’s choice to wear sunglasses was not merely stylistic. Just days earlier, during a New Year’s address to France’s military, he acknowledged an “unsightly” red and puffy eye that had drawn public attention. Macron assured the audience at the time that the condition was “completely harmless,” brushing aside speculation and joking about the situation.
On Tuesday, Macron again referenced the eye issue with a lighthearted remark, telling the audience to see it as an unintentional nod to the “Eye of the Tiger,” a reference to the hit song by the American band Survivor. For those who caught the reference, Macron said, it was meant as a sign of determination, injecting a note of humor into an otherwise confrontational address.
The French president’s comments came as European leaders continue to grapple with the Trump administration’s latest tariff plans. Last week, the administration announced it would impose a 10 percent import tax on all goods from France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Those tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Feb. 1.
According to the administration, the tariff decision followed opposition from those same countries to President Trump’s stated intention to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. The dispute over Greenland has added another layer of strain to already tense transatlantic relations.
Trump has also threatened to escalate the trade fight further with France. He warned of an additional 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne after reports surfaced that Macron was not interested in joining Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative the president has been promoting on the international stage.
Adding to the drama, Trump posted screenshots early Tuesday morning on Truth Social showing private messages exchanged between himself and Macron. In those messages, Macron questioned Trump’s threats regarding Greenland and suggested hosting a G7 summit meeting in Paris on Thursday, an offer that highlighted the complicated and sometimes contradictory nature of their relationship.
Despite Macron’s public criticism, communication between the two leaders has clearly continued behind the scenes. Trump is expected to sign the charter for the “Board of Peace” on Thursday morning in Davos, underscoring his intent to press forward with the initiative regardless of European skepticism.
Macron’s appearance and remarks in Davos illustrated the deepening divide between the Trump administration and key European leaders over trade, sovereignty, and global influence. As tariffs loom and rhetoric sharpens, the clash in Switzerland served as another high-profile reminder of the unsettled state of U.S.-Europe relations under Trump’s second administration.
