French President Emmanuel Macron, during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, said that he prefers "respect over brute force" and "the rule of law over brutality" - words that sounded like a response to Donald Trump's diplomacy, Agence France-Presse reported, BTA reported.
“France and Europe are committed to national sovereignty and independence, as well as to the United Nations and its charter“, the French president stressed at a time when his American counterpart wants to create a new global “Peace Council“, entirely under his control.
Macron said that he wants to make the G-7, which this year is chaired by France - – “ a forum for open dialogue“ and for “collective and cooperative solutions“.
Europe has “very powerful“ tools at its disposal in the field of trade and must use them when “it is not respected“, the French president added in response to Trump's threats to impose new tariffs.
Macron condemned “competition from the United States“ through a trade policy that “demands maximum concessions and openly aims to weaken and subjugate Europe“ and noted that he did not plan to meet the US president during the Davos forum.