Macron Accuses US of 'Breaking Free from International Rules' and Abandoning Allies

Macron's Annual Address Highlights US Policy Concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a strong critique of United States foreign policy on Thursday, January 8, 2026, during his annual address to French ambassadors at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Macron accused the US of 'breaking free from international rules' and 'gradually turning away' from its allies, marking some of his most direct criticisms of Washington's approach to global affairs.

The French leader emphasized that the international system was entering a phase where the 'law of the strongest' was increasingly prevalent, replacing established legal frameworks. He warned against a 'new colonialism and new imperialism,' and rejected notions of 'vassalage and defeatism' for Europe.

Specific Instances of US Actions Cited

Macron's remarks were made in the context of several recent US actions that have caused concern among European allies. Key points of contention included:

• The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by US special forces, which occurred just days before Macron's speech and was seen by some as undermining international law.
• US President Donald Trump's repeated insistence on taking control of Greenland, a territory of Denmark, and his administration's refusal to rule out the use of military force to acquire the strategic Arctic island. This stance has caused significant alarm among European nations, including Denmark, which warned such an action could jeopardize the NATO alliance.
• The US withdrawal from 66 global organizations and treaties, including numerous entities affiliated with the United Nations, which the White House identified as 'contrary to the interests of the United States.' Macron called for a full reinvestment in the UN, noting that its 'largest shareholder no longer believes in it.'
• Washington's denouncement of European regulations in the technology sector, such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), which aim to rein in tech giants. Macron stressed the importance of defending these regulations and safeguarding a controlled digital information space.

Call for European Strategic Autonomy

In response to these developments, President Macron urged Europe to protect its own interests and pursue greater strategic autonomy. He called for the 'consolidation' of European regulation in the technology sector and stressed the importance of safeguarding academic independence.

Macron acknowledged that 'multilateral institutions are functioning less and less effectively' but insisted that 'global governance' remained crucial. His sentiments were echoed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who separately warned that the world risked turning into a 'robber's den' due to the erosion of the postwar rules-based international order.