Trump is treating Macron as a show-off to be suppressed and humiliated. At around midnight on Monday in the U.S., when asked about "French President Macron's refusal to join the Gaza 'Peace Council'," he said, "No one wants him to join, and if France's wine and champagne are taxed by 200%, he will join, but no one cares whether he joins or not."

Macron led the boycott against Trump's plan to tax Greenland, urging Europe to use "anti-coercion tools" in response, and France also led the boycott of Trump's Gaza "Peace Council." Trump has been reaching out to people all over the world, sending invitations to China and Russia alike.

Trump's words reflect both a disdain for Macron, saying "who cares about you," and a hardline threat of imposing a 200% tariff. Now it's up to Macron how to respond to Trump's public slap: will he show weakness, or stand up and strike back at Trump?

Mr. Hu personally hopes that the U.S. really imposes tariffs on Europe on February 1st, and I also hope that Europe, forced into a corner, will finally stand up and implement the 93 billion euro tariffs on American goods they have already planned, giving Trump a good kick back.

I believe that Europe not only owes the international order a trade war that is directly opposed to the U.S., but they surrendered too quickly last year, which emboldened Trump; furthermore, in order to maintain their own dignity when dealing with the U.S. in the future, and to prevent the U.S. from bullying them like a thug, they need to truly get angry at Trump. Even if it leads to mutual bruises, they should do it without hesitation.

Certainly, Europe is difficult to be so brave. They are still trying to calm Trump down, and no matter what they say, they are always weighing whether it might anger this president who doesn't look at them seriously.

On Tuesday at the Davos Forum, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU would make an unwavering, united, and moderate response to the issue of U.S. tariffs. Look at how careful her wording was when speaking to the U.S.

Trump has completely let his guard down, openly stating that international law and rules don't apply to him, and he only follows personal moral constraints. Trump dares to be so arrogant, and Europe bears a big responsibility.

Since Trump's second term, facing his epic-scale trade war, China has resolutely protected its legitimate interests, striking back against the U.S. tariffs. This not only curbed Trump's arrogance in the direction of China, but also made a significant contribution to limiting Trump's desire to break international rules, supporting world peace and fairness and justice.

The EU was also powerful, especially in economic strength. But last year, when faced with Trump's tariff threats, they ran away, and the 93 billion euro countermeasures they had planned were never implemented, thus allowing Trump's arrogance to grow. They owe themselves and the world a courageous stance.

Last year, when Macron visited Washington, he said that the U.S. shouldn't fight trade wars with both China and Europe, but should prioritize China. A group of Canadian provincial governors also lobbied the U.S.: the U.S. and Canada should deal with China as a common economic enemy rather than hurt each other. Just two days ago, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, instead of scolding Trump for his strong threats, said that China and Russia would be very happy. He still insisted that the U.S. and Europe should be a team, jointly confronting China and Russia.

Now, however, the facts have proven that the U.S. bullies the weak and fears the strong, respecting only strength and fearing a hard fight. The U.S. still hasn't dared to provoke "reckless" Pyongyang.

This round, the hardest hit by the U.S. are Canada and Europe. Now, Canada has awakened, breaking away from the U.S. on the issue of taxing Chinese electric vehicles, shocking Washington. While Europe is still hesitating, the 27 EU member states are counting 28 sets of abacuses. Therefore, Europeans deserve to suffer a good beating this time.

Trump has knocked out two of Macron's teeth, making France and Europe suffer together. Only then will Europe possibly learn a lesson and give up some small gains to bravely stand up.

Trump has now cornered Europe. He claimed on Wednesday that the tariffs on Europe "will be 100% imposed." He has stripped Europe naked and trampled them on the ground. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg once called Trump "Dad," letting them taste "Dad's" punches and kicks. Europeans need to relearn how to behave properly and act fairly in today's changing world.

Recently, The Atlantic published an article that began with, "The Trump administration's National Security Strategy officially announced: the U.S.-led liberal world order has ended." Europe needs to seriously establish its own strategic autonomy, adjusting its complete reliance on the U.S. into smart diplomacy between major powers, seeking a real strategic balance that benefits Europe's long-term interests.

Europe is the birthplace of modern geopolitics. They know everything. What they need now is to accept a real lesson and reactivate their long-dormant thinking abilities.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854839481323596/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.