French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern over the United States’ increasing tendency to distance itself from its allies and disregard international rules. This comment comes after the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and renewed threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
The US military action in Venezuela involved a series of airstrikes on the capital, Caracas, and other regions, with President Donald Trump later stating that a military option is still on the table regarding Greenland. Trump has long sought to acquire the island, citing its strategic importance to Arctic security. However, this has caused tension with European NATO members, including Denmark, whose Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US annexation of Greenland would effectively signal the end of NATO.
Macron noted that the US is evolving into a world of great powers, with a temptation to divide the world among them. He emphasized that France and the EU are facing “neo-colonial aggression” while being subjected to “anti-colonial rhetoric that no longer corresponds to reality.” The French president’s statement highlights the growing concerns among European leaders about the US’s actions and their implications for international relations.
The situation has prompted a joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK, asserting that Greenland “belongs to its people.” Trump, however, remains determined to pursue his goal, suggesting that he would prefer to acquire the island through negotiation but is willing to “do it the hard way” if necessary. The US president also did not rule out compensating the people of Greenland, but the details of such a proposal remain unclear.
The developments have significant implications for international relations, particularly within NATO, and highlight the growing tensions between the US and its European allies. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US will proceed with its plans for Greenland and how European leaders will respond to the challenges posed by the US’s increasingly assertive foreign policy.
