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Trump vs Macron escalates: US President shares private text amid tiff over Gaza, Greenland and tariffs
Macron's refusal to join the Board of Peace, opposition to demand for Greenland has resulted in the start of a tiff with Trump, who has now threated tariffs.
Adding to the tiff with France, US president Donald Trump has shared an alleged private text from French president Emmanuel Macron. This text, which Trump shared on Truth Social, comes amid the Republican leader's pursuit for Greenland.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump shared a text which has been attributed to Macron. In the chain, the French President has stated that he does not know why Trump is going after Greenland. This text image comes shortly after Trump warned France of fresh tariffs.
While a statement from Macron's office is awaited, a source close to the President told news agency AFP that the text is authentic.
The text, as shared by Trump, reads the following message from Macron: "My friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland."
The text chain, allegedly from the French president, went on to propose a G7 meeting after the Davos summit and a dinner in Paris to discuss further.
Also Read | Trump's renewed push for Greenland ahead of Davos: 'US territory est. 2026'
France, along with other European nations, has openly rejected the US' statements on Greenland and the US' plan to takeover the territory. However, the feud escalated after Emmanuel Macron declined an invitation from Trump to join the “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
Trump vs Macron | What led to the row
France's concern regarding Trump's demand for Greenland - Paris, along with other European allies has repeatedly raised their concerns regarding a potential US takeover of Greenland. The concerns have materialised into preparedness, with France and NATO countries sending troops to Greenland for military exercises.
The tiff escalated after the French foreign ministry mocked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's justification of why Trump wants Greenland. The Trump administration has stated that it wants Greenland for national security and to counter any threat from Russia and China.
Bessent added that in order to safeguard Greenland from any future threat, they must make the island a part of the US now.
In response to this, France's foreign ministry took to X and said "If there were a fire someday, firefighters would intervene — so better burn the house now."
"If a shark might attack someday, intervention would follow — so better eat the lifeguard now. If there were a crash someday, damage would occur — so better ram the car now," wrote the French Response, the official response account of the foreign ministry.
France declines Board of Peace invitation - US president Donald Trump began to roll out invites to countries to join the Board of Peace in Gaza. This “international board” comes as part of the US president's second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. However, France, as per reports, raised its concerns regarding the structure and foundation of the board, and declined joining.
As per a report by Politico, a statement issued by Macron's office stated that the charter of Trump's board "goes beyond Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question."
Similar sentiments echoed through Macron's cabinet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stating that the board is "very, very far from the Charter of the United Nations.
While speaking at an event in Paris, the foreign minister highlighted that Trump's position as the chairman of the board would allow him to approve participation, choose his own successor and veto decisions taken through a majority.
Trump warn of 200% tariffs on wine, champagne - After France's decline to join the Board of Peace, Trump threatened fresh tariffs on French wine and champagne. Speaking to reporters before leaving for the Davos summit, the US president stated that he would impose 200 percent tariffs on France, a warning which would make France give in to Trump's demand.
When asked what he thought of Macron's decline, Trump said: “Did he say that? Nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon. If they feel hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join.”
