Translated with AI
The European Union plans to impose counter-tariffs on the United States or restrictions on the operations of American companies in the EU if US President Donald Trump imposes 10% tariffs on eight European countries over their stance on Greenland. Der Spiegel magazine reported this, citing sources in Brussels, and Reuters, citing an unnamed diplomat.
According to European Council President António Costa, an extraordinary summit of EU member state leaders will be held in Brussels in the coming days to develop a unified European Union response to threats from the United States. According to Reuters, the summit is scheduled for January 22.
On the evening of January 18, EU ambassadors held an emergency meeting to discuss possible countermeasures against the United States. Specific details have not yet been agreed upon.
Options under consideration include the introduction of counter-tariffs on American goods, including whiskey, aircraft parts, soy, poultry, and other products, valued at €93 billion. These measures could take effect automatically.
It was previously announced that the transatlantic trade agreement between the EU and the US would not be approved by EU lawmakers following Donald Trump's threats to impose 10 percent tariffs on the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, France, and Sweden. The agreement envisaged a 15 percent US tariff on EU imports in exchange for European countries waiving tariffs on US exports.
According to the US President, eight European countries will pay tariffs until an agreement is reached to hand over Greenland to the United States. Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to establish control over the island, first voicing the idea in 2019 during his first term.
On January 15, the countries targeted by Trump's tariffs announced they would send troops to Greenland for a reconnaissance mission aimed at strengthening regional security and supporting Denmark in preparation for major military exercises scheduled for late 2026. Specifically, a group of 15 German soldiers had already left Greenland on January 18—the day after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Germany for supporting Denmark in the territorial dispute.
