January 20, 2026, 08:13January 20, 2026, 08:13
Donald Trump wants Greenland – and is causing concern in Europe. While the US President does not shy away from aggressive rhetoric, European heads of state are currently trying to defuse the situation somewhat. Trump himself is currently making public how they try this.
Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump at a meeting in October.Image: keystone
The US President published a chat message on his own social media platform Truth that he is said to have received from French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump is referred to as “my friend”. The Frenchman is also trying to show the US president that they are fundamentally on the same page.
“We are in total agreement about Syria,” said Macron. “Big things” can also be achieved in Iran. When it comes to Greenland, however, the Frenchman expresses skepticism. “I don’t understand what you’re doing,” the message says.
Macron is also trying to arrange a meeting with the US President. Macron said he could organize a G7 meeting after the WEF in Davos. This could take place on Thursday afternoon in Paris. “I can invite the Ukrainians, the Syrians and the Russians on the sidelines.”
Macron also suggests that Trump have dinner together. “Let’s have dinner together in Paris on Thursday before you travel back to the USA,” writes the French president. How Trump responded to these suggestions remains unclear – he did not publish an answer in his post.
The exchange between Macron and Trump came amid a tense situation between France and the US. The two politicians don’t just disagree about Greenland: France recently rejected an invitation to participate in the so-called Gaza Peace Council, thereby angering Trump. He then threatened to impose new tariffs. “I will impose 200 percent tariffs on his wines and champagne,” Trump said of Macron on Monday. (dab)