Europe weighs responses after Trump threatens Greenland-related tariffs

European leaders are bracing for a renewed trade confrontation after President Trump threatened a 10% tariff on imports from countries that oppose his push to take control of Greenland, a move that officials say could imperil a recent U.S.-EU trade agreement. The U.S.-EU deal cited in reporting includes $750 billion in energy purchases from the U.S., $600 billion in EU investment and reduced tariffs on many European imports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU’s response would be “unflinching, united and proportional.” Trump, who continued to press his Greenland ambitions on Truth Social, said he had spoken to “NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte” and told him “there can be no going back.” Officials and analysts outlined several possible responses: reciprocal tariffs on a list of 4,800 U.S.

exports totaling $108 billion, a move that would take effect on Feb. 7 unless the European Parliament freezes it; use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument or “trade bazooka,” which can impose tariffs, limits on trade and investment, or suspend intellectual property rights but requires lengthy investigation and broad parliamentary backing; large-scale sales of U.S.

assets, which analysts and officials say would be difficult and could harm European economies; and legal challenges in U.S. courts, where the Supreme Court is expected to consider the legality of presidential tariffs under IEEPA.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, Greenland, European Union, Anti-coercion Instrument, Ieepa