Credited from: INDIATIMES
European Union leaders are intensively engaging in discussions to address U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European nations in relation to his continued push for control over Greenland. EU spokesperson Olof Gill highlighted that the bloc's priority is to find solutions through dialogue, emphasizing that "the EU has tools at its disposal" should the U.S. proceed with its tariff threats, underscoring a commitment to a united front among member nations, according to aa and bbc.
Following Trump's declarations, which included imposing tariffs of 10% increasing to 25% on various European goods unless a deal to purchase Greenland is achieved, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that such actions could transform longstanding alliances into "a downward spiral." She firmly stated, "The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies," during her address at the World Economic Forum, according to indiatimes and channelnewsasia.
Germany’s finance minister echoed a similar sentiment, asserting, "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," after emergency consultations with other EU finance officials, emphasizing a broader European stance against Trump's tariff threats. There is a growing consensus among EU states to potentially activate the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI), a powerful economic deterrent designed to respond aggressively to external pressures, according to aljazeera and indiatimes.
Moreover, Trump’s approach has raised alarms within NATO, with leaders expressing concerns over possible divisions within the alliance that traditionally counters external threats. The threat of tariffs has the potential not only to instigate a trade war but also to impact critical collaborations on security and mutual defense among allies, as warned by various political analysts and EU officials, according to lemonde and channelnewsasia.
As the potential for trade repercussions looms large, the EU's 27 member states are expected to convene for an extraordinary summit aimed at formulating a consolidated response. Economic measures, including a possible retaliation worth €93 billion, are on the table, reaffirming the EU’s intent to stand resilient in the face of coercive diplomacy from the U.S., according to bbc and aa.