EU-US trade deal imperiled after Trump tariff threat over Greenland
The U.S.-EU trade deal reached last summer is threatened after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on several European countries-Denmark,Norway,Sweden,France,Germany,the U.K., the Netherlands, and Finland-over their increased military presence in Greenland and opposition to his reported interest in acquiring the island for national-security reasons.Trump imposed an initial 10% levy that would begin Feb. 1 and rise to 25% in June. European leaders reacted strongly: Manfred weber of the European People’s Party said approval of the trade deal cannot proceed while the tariff threats stand, effectively blocking its ratification; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and warned that such tariffs would harm transatlantic relations. The agreement had partially taken effect (with most U.S. exports facing 15% tariffs while metals negotiations remained unresolved), and EU ambassadors are convening an emergency meeting to coordinate a response.
EU-US trade deal imperiled after Trump tariff threat over Greenland
The trade deal reached between the United States and the European Union last summer is now at risk of falling apart after President Donald Trump threatened more tariffs on some of its members over their support for Greenland‘s autonomy.
Trump on Saturday slapped new 10% levies on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland over their recent surging of military personnel to the Arctic island. He accused the countries of “playing” a “very dangerous game” and putting “a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,” as he looks to purchase Greenland from Denmark for national security reasons.
While those tariffs don’t take effect until Feb. 1, after which they will increase to 25% in June, a key leader in European Parliament has already signaled the threat is enough to derail the EU-U.S. trade agreement that took months to reach.
“The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold,” said Manfred Weber, the president of the European People’s Party, which holds the most seats out of any political group in parliament.
The trade deal had already partially taken effect, with the EU facing a 15% tariff on most exports. Duties on steel, aluminum, and copper, however, remained at a 50% rate and were still under negotiation at the time of Trump’s announcement.
Those negotiations are now likely to collapse, as Europe has indicated it is standing behind Greenland and its ties to Denmark, of which the island is a part while having its own government.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier Saturday that the EU is in “full solidarity” with both, while warning that more tariffs “would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also said Europe would respond in a “united and coordinated manner” if Trump follows through on his tariffs.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES NEW TARIFF ON EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT OPPOSE GREENLAND ACQUISITION
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” he said. “We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.”
EU ambassadors are set to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon in response to Trump’s tariff threat.
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