Macron says '51st state' threat to Canada shows U.S. rejecting allies

French President Emmanuel Macron cited U.S. President Donald Trump's '51st state' comments about Canada as an example of the United States turning away from allies; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made related remarks about a breakdown of shared values.

French President Emmanuel Macron told French ambassadors that comments about making Canada the "51st state" illustrate a U.S. foreign policy moving away from international rules. He described this trend as the "law of the strongest" and raised questions about Greenland and Taiwan in that context. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed similar worries, saying U.S. behaviour represented a breakdown of values that helped build the postwar order. Macron also referenced recent U.S. actions, which he linked to broader shifts in American policy. What leaders and reports note: - Macron cited former U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about Canada and called them an example of allies being sacrificed to "the law of the strongest." - Steinmeier said the U.S. behaviour amounted to a breakdown of values and warned it threatened democratic norms. - Macron and other European figures raised concern about Greenland's sovereignty after U.S. comments on the territory. - The article reports that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Danish officials next week. - A German poll cited in the report found growing distrust of the United States, with 76% saying the U.S. was not a partner Germany could rely on and 15% saying it could be trusted. Summary: European leaders have publicly questioned recent U.S. statements and actions, with Macron using the "51st state" remark about Canada as an example of allies being sidelined and Steinmeier warning of a values breakdown. The comments have added to concern about territories such as Greenland and about broader U.S. policy; a meeting between U.S. and Danish officials is reported for next week. Undetermined at this time.