In a bold move at the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for NATO military exercises in Greenland, pledging full French participation. The provocative statement quickly drew fire from Scott Bessent, Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, who advised Macron to focus on France’s crumbling budget instead.
Local reports citing Macron’s office revealed the demand for NATO drills in the strategically vital Arctic territory on Wednesday. When pressed on the issue in Davos, Bessent shot back with sarcasm: ‘My advice to Macron is to worry about his own country’s economic woes and tend to his people’s needs amid that dismal budget situation.’
The timing couldn’t be more charged. With President Trump eyeing Greenland’s acquisition despite European pushback, Macron’s remarks appear as a direct counterpunch. Just a day earlier, Macron had defiantly declared that Europe would not bow to threats, lambasting Trump’s tariff warnings as ‘foolish’ and ‘unnecessary aggression.’ He also rejected Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as no substitute for the United Nations.
NATO leaders in Davos warned that Trump’s Greenland strategy risks fracturing the alliance. Meanwhile, Trump shared a screenshot of text messages from Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praising his peace efforts, underscoring the tense transatlantic dynamics.
As geopolitical tensions simmer, Macron’s Greenland gambit highlights Europe’s resolve to assert influence in the Arctic, even as domestic fiscal pressures mount at home. The exchange between Bessent and Macron’s team signals deeper rifts over defense spending and strategic priorities within NATO.