Macron wears the glasses due to an injury to his right eye.Image: keystone
The dispute over Greenland and threatened US tariffs are causing growing tensions between the USA and the European Union. While several European governments are relying on restraint, French President Emmanuel Macron is openly bringing tougher trade policy countermeasures into play for the first time. At the same time, Washington is urgently warning the EU against retaliation.
Jan 19, 2026, 8:06 p.mJan 19, 2026, 8:06 p.m
The trigger is US President Donald Trump’s renewed demand to bring Greenland under US control. Because several European countries, including Denmark, rejected these plans, Trump announced punitive tariffs. From February 1st, additional tariffs of ten percent will be levied on imports from Germany and seven other European countries; from June these could rise to 25 percent. Trump justifies this with Denmark’s allegedly inadequate security efforts to protect the Arctic island from Russia.
The announcements have met with clear criticism in Europe. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that a trade conflict was not in the interests of the states involved. The German federal government also emphasizes that economic pressure should not be used to enforce political demands. The majority of EU member states have so far relied on de-escalation.
Macron brings “trade bazooka” into play
France, however, takes a different tone. President Macron’s circle said that in the event of an escalation, the instrument against coercive economic measures could also be examined. This EU instrument, which has been in effect since the end of 2023, allows far-reaching reactions if third countries exert economic pressure to force political concessions. It has never been used before.
The EU instrument would go beyond classic counter-tariffs. Possible measures would include trade restrictions, restrictions on market access for US companies, exclusion from public contracts and measures in the area of digital services and intellectual property. Investments and capital flows from the USA could also be more closely controlled. The prerequisite would be a formal application from a member state and an examination by the EU Commission.
USA warns of countermeasures
In Davos, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reacted negatively to such considerations. He described EU retaliatory measures as “very unwise”. At the same time, he called for the US President’s statements to be taken seriously. Trump wants to use the tariffs to break resistance to his Greenland plans, while Denmark and several European countries have clearly ruled out selling the island.
Countermeasures are also being discussed within the EU. The European Commission confirmed that theoretically special tariffs on US goods worth up to 93 billion euros would be possible. Industrial and agricultural products such as aircraft, motorcycles, beef and whiskey would be affected. A decision on this should be made at a special summit at the end of the week. (mke/sda/dpa)