A tired-looking President Emmanuel Macron, notably sporting a red eye, delivered a defiant message as France signalled it was “ready to act” to protect and assist its allies—remarks widely seen as a pointed response to Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland. Speaking during his New Year address to the Armed Forces at the Istres air force base, Macron insisted France would not be a bystander in global affairs. The President’s visible red eye sparked speculation, which Macron brushed off as harmless, as he reinforced France’s full solidarity with Denmark. His comments came as French troops joined Danish-led NATO military exercises in Greenland, alongside small contingents from other allies, and after Macron convened an emergency defence cabinet meeting in Paris.