US President Trump is threatening tariffs over the Greenland battle. The EU is making ready a particular summit for Thursday. Are counter-tariffs and sanctions now coming – or will Brussels even unpack the “trade bazooka”?
After US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement, the EU continues to battle for the suitable reply to the Greenland battle. Sanctions, counter-tariffs, but in addition additional measures are being mentioned.
The Financial Times studies that the EU is contemplating imposing tariffs price 93 billion euros on the US. If there isn’t a settlement, the tariffs on US bourbon, plane elements, soybeans and poultry would routinely come into pressure on February sixth, in keeping with the Reuters information company.
Handelsblatt studies that Germany has additionally spoken out in favor of contemplating tariffs and different sanctions towards the USA. Other sanctions refer, amongst different issues, to an EU instrument that has by no means been used earlier than. According to media studies, French President Emmanuel Macron needs to name on the EU to place the “instrument to combat coercive measures” into pressure. Dubbed the “bazooka of trade,” the regulation permits the EU to restrict imports of products and providers.
Trump introduced tariffs towards eight nations
On Saturday, Trump introduced punitive tariffs towards Germany and 7 different European nations due to the dispute over Greenland. As lengthy because the USA can not purchase the island, which belongs to Denmark, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland ought to pay further tariffs of ten % on all imports into the USA from February 1st. Starting June 1, these tariffs would enhance to 25 %.
Germany and the opposite affected European nations have already reacted to this. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and pose the risk of escalation,” the joint assertion stated. They are decided to guard their very own sovereignty. Chancellor Friedrich Merz additionally reported on Platform X with related wording.
No vote on customs agreements?
One consequence ought to already be clear. The customs settlement between the EU and the USA, which was concluded final 12 months, will in all probability hardly discover a majority within the EU Parliament. It ought to truly be ratified subsequent week. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul assumes that he is not going to get round to it in the intervening time. “I don’t think this agreement is possible in this current situation,” Wadephul stated Report from Berlin.
Wadephul additionally didn’t rule out counter-tariffs: If the USA takes additional measures, “then there will have to be a European response”. The Green Party chief Franziska Brantner demanded Report from Berlin a more durable strategy in the direction of the USA. “It’s time to be clear and not be blackmailed,” she stated. In addition to counter-tariffs, she additionally talked about a digital levy. “So that Trump has to choose between his tech brothers and Greenland.”
Mediator Meloni?
It is unclear how the talks will proceed at EU stage. Italy has provided to mediate between the US and Europe. The right-wing head of presidency Giorgia Meloni is taken into account amongst European heads of presidency to be a kind of who’ve good entry to Trump. In the afternoon, the everlasting representatives of the 27 EU nations had been gathered in Brussels. There might be a particular summit within the coming days, introduced EU Council President António Costa. According to an EU official, the attainable date is Thursday.
The alternative for disaster talks may later be the World Economic Forum in Davos: Trump is predicted there on Wednesday, as is Merz. In any case, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte introduced after a dialog with Trump: “We will continue to work on it” – and he’s wanting ahead to a gathering with Trump in Davos.
https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/groenland-trump-usa-eu-100.html