EU prepares €93 billion tariffs against US in response to Trump’s blackmail over Greenland – FT
19 January 11:06
The European Union is considering imposing tariffs on the US in response to President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Europe over Greenland.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Financial Times.
The EU is preparing tariffs and restrictions
According to the publication, the EU is considering imposing tariffs worth €93 billion or restricting US companies’ access to the bloc’s market in response to Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.
This move is intended to prevent a deep rift in the Western military alliance, which “would pose an existential threat to European security.”
The list of tariffs was prepared last year, but its implementation was suspended until February 6 to avoid a full-scale trade war.
France and Germany are considering options to put pressure on the US
France and Germany are coordinating joint action and discussing the possibility of using an anti-coercion instrument (ACI) that could restrict investments and exports by US companies.
“Trump’s threats certainly justify resorting to the ACI, as this is a typical coercive method,” said one European official.
Trump jeopardizes transatlantic security
Trump, who demanded that Denmark allow him to take control of Greenland, threatened to impose 10% tariffs on goods from the UK, Norway, and six EU countries that sent troops to the Arctic island.
“We want to cooperate, and we are not seeking conflict,” replied Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
European officials hope that threats of retaliation will increase bipartisan pressure in the US and force Trump to back down from his demands.
“This is a situation that no longer allows for compromise, because we cannot hand over Greenland. Smart Americans also know that he has just opened Pandora’s box,” said one European diplomat.
Trump’s tariffs
On January 17, Trump announced his intention to impose tariffs on goods from European allies that support Denmark until the US can gain control of Greenland. He stressed that if the US does not acquire Greenland by June 1, 2026, tariffs will rise to 25 percent.
