Brussels, Feb 4: After three years spent trying to deter Russia from destroying Ukraine, European Union leaders grappled on Monday with how to respond to a major ally who appears determined to start a trade war or even seize part of their territory.
It would “be a cruel paradox if, during the time of this direct Russian threat and Chinese expansion,” the EU and the United States might end up in a “conflict among allies,” said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
Since taking office last month, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports and refused to rule out military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
Trump has also mystified Europeans by showing little sign of how he intends to end the war in Ukraine within six months as promised, let alone in a day, as he boasted while campaigning last year.
“We have to do everything to avoid this totally unnecessary and stupid tariff war or trade war,” the Polish prime minister told reporters in Brussels, where EU leaders met for talks on boosting and improving military spending and ramping up Europe’s defense industry.
Tusk said Trump’s threats amount to “a serious test” of European unity, and “in a very strange context, because it’s the first time where we have such a problem among allies.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU is “a power that stands its ground” and that if hit with tariffs, the 27-nation bloc “would have to make itself respected.” He said Trump’s threats are “pushing Europeans to be more united, more active in addressing their collective security challenges.”
Trump slapped tariffs on European steel and aluminum during his first term, and EU leaders have already been in contact with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since Canada imposed retaliatory duties on US goods in response to a 25 per cent tariff levied by Trump.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined that ties between the bloc and the United States are part of “our most consequential relationship. It is fundamental to promoting peace, security and prosperity.” But she warned that “there are clearly new challenges and growing uncertainty” and the EU stands ready to defend itself.
“When targeted unfairly or arbitrarily, the European Union will respond firmly,” von der Leyen told reporters after the meeting.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s prime minister again insisted on Monday that Greenland isn’t for sale and called for a robust response from the EU should US Trump press ahead with his threat to take control of the island.
“I will never support the idea of fighting allies. But of course, if the US puts tough terms on Europe, we need a collective and robust response,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters.
Last month, Trump left open the possibility that the American military might be used to secure Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. “We need Greenland for national security purposes,” he said.
Frederiksen said she has “great support” from her EU partners on the fact “that everybody has to respect the sovereignty of all national states in the world, and that Greenland is today a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s part of our territory and it’s not for sale.” (AP)
