Die EU is reportedly planning to impose counter-tariffs within the excessive tens of billions if the US implements its tariff risk within the wake of the Greenland dispute. The EU ambassadors had been unable to agree on quick counter-tariffs throughout discussions in Brussels, reviews the Reuters information company, citing diplomatic circles. However, if there is no such thing as a settlement with the USA, counter-tariffs amounting to 93 billion euros would routinely come into power, which had been already agreed in such a case in July.
An EU diplomat instructed Reuters the tariffs can be imposed on US bourbon, plane components, soybeans and poultry. Previously they’d Spiegel and the Financial Times reported.
According to Weber, the EU is something however powerless
The EU solely suspended the imposition of those tariffs after agreeing with the USA had agreed on a commerce settlement. This really offered for tariff exemption for US items and a 15 % tariff on EU items within the USA. According to Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party (EPP), the European Parliament has now postponed the adoption of this settlement, which was scheduled for Wednesday, indefinitely.
“Trump will not get duty-free access for his American products to the European internal market,” mentioned Weber on ZDF. “I decided that together with the other faction leaders tonight – a first clear signal.” With regard to the postponed settlement, he mentioned: “Donald Trump has to prove to us that we can work with him on a rule-based basis, otherwise the entire ratification makes no sense.” The EU is something however powerless.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen additionally reiterated the steadfastness of the European Union. “We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests,” mentioned the CDU politician. You have the developments round Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with steadfastness and determination.”
EU summit on tariffs possible scheduled for Thursday
The set off is US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he’ll impose a further ten % tariff on items from sure EU international locations from February 1st if the European Union opposes a US buy of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. In June the tariff price ought to rise to 25 %. Germany and different European international locations reacted to the risk with protest and introduced resistance.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) mentioned that “of course there will have to be a European response” if the USA takes additional measures. However, the minister dominated out any affect of the present customs dispute with the USA on NATO’s navy cohesion. “The United States also needs Europe,” mentioned Wadephul. “Together we are strong.”
EU Council President António Costa introduced a particular EU Council summit “in the coming days”. The EU is united in “defending itself against any kind of coercion,” wrote Costa. She helps the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland. At the identical time, they need to proceed to work constructively with the USA. The information companies dpa and Reuters report, citing insiders, that the summit will in all probability happen on Thursday. A private assembly is deliberate, i.e. no video dialog.
Trump leaves open using navy means
US President Trump once more insisted on Saturday that Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, ought to be integrated into the USA. He repeatedly claimed that this was as a consequence of safety issues over an alleged risk from China and Russia within the area. As justification, Trump additionally referred once more to his deliberate billion-dollar missile protection system known as Golden Dome. So far he has left it open whether or not the USA would additionally think about navy means in opposition to its NATO associate Denmark in an excessive case.
Trump additionally criticized the truth that a number of EU and NATO international locations had despatched troopers for a fact-finding mission at Denmark’s invitation, together with Germany and France. The query is whether or not the Arctic is secure and to what extent Germany and its NATO companions can contribute to this, in line with the Ministry of Defense. Trump then introduced further tariffs in opposition to these eight European international locations.
Greenland is an autonomous area of Denmark. According to a survey, 85 % of Greenlanders reject the Arctic island’s membership of the USA. Over the weekend, hundreds of individuals demonstrated in Denmark and Greenland in opposition to the US President’s annexation plans.
Follow all present developments within the battle over US claims to Greenland in our dwell weblog.
https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2026-01/zollstreit-usa-groenland-drohung-eu-gegenzoelle-handelsabkommen