European Council President António Costa is planning to convene an urgent EU leaders meeting after a fresh bout of transatlantic turbulence sparked by new tariff threats from Washington, he announced in a statement on Sunday.
According to one EU official, Costa is considering convening a physical meeting of the EU-27 as early as Thursday, 22 January. The date has yet to be formally locked in.
This comes after US President Donald Trump has threatened additional tariffs on eight European countries on Saturday, starting at 10% from 1 February and rising to 25% by June – unless the United States secures control over Greenland.
The move has thrown EU-US trade relations into disarray, reviving calls in Brussels for retaliation and putting last summer’s fragile trade truce with Washington at risk.
According to a French government spokesperson, French President Emmanuel Macron will push the EU to deploy its never-used trade “bazooka” to counter Trump’s tariffs if they come into force. The Anti-Coercion Instrument would give the European Commission emergency powers to hit back hard at countries economically threatening the EU.
Europe hits back at Trump tariff threat over Greenland
European leaders on Sunday slammed US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs over their opposition…
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Trump singled out European countries taking part in “Operation Arctic Endurance,” a Danish-led military exercise in Greenland. Sweden, France, Germany, the UK and others have deployed small troop contingents in what diplomats widely describe as a symbolic show of presence rather than a major military operation.
In his statement, Costa said consultations with EU countries over the Greenland tensions had “reconfirmed a strong and shared commitment” across the bloc.
He stressed the EU’s unity on international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
The EU, he added, stands ready to defend itself against “any form of coercion,” while remaining open to constructive engagement with Washington on issues of common interest.
Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro contributed to this report
(vib)