Tensions between Washington and European capitals escalated as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot asserted Europe’s autonomy in rejecting US overtures. In his annual address to diplomats on Friday, Barrot made clear that President Trump’s aggressive foreign policy, epitomized by the push to acquire Greenland, demands a resolute European response.
Greenland, a vast Danish territory brimming with strategic minerals, has become a flashpoint. Trump argues it’s essential for American security, but Barrot framed the bid as emblematic of broader erosions in alliance norms under ‘America First’.
‘When the new US administration decides in a few months to rethink the relationships that bind us, that’s their right,’ Barrot stated. ‘And it’s our right to say no to a historical partner if the proposal doesn’t work for us.’
Equating US pressure tactics with Russian aggression, Barrot listed examples: invasions in Eastern Europe, economic coercion, and territorial claims. He cautioned that adversaries are probing the EU’s resolve, much like in centuries past.
Echoing German President Steinmeier’s recent sharp critique of American unreliability – where he decried a world of ‘robbers’ – Barrot urged vigilance. Amid France’s upcoming elections, he slammed populist elements undermining European solidarity.
Barrot’s speech underscores a growing European consensus: blind loyalty to the US is over. As trade wars and security dilemmas intensify, Paris is positioning itself as a leader in recalibrating the Atlantic relationship for a multipolar era.