New US tariffs: how can the EU fight back?
US President Donald Trump has announced punitive tariffs against eight European countries that oppose his plans for Greenland. The ten percent surcharges are to be introduced on 1 February and are to remain in effect until the Arctic island is acquired. The EU plans to reach a decision on countermeasures at a special summit to be held in the next few days. Commentators make their own recommendations for responses.
Resolute action needed
Europe faces a choice between showing strength or submitting, Le Figaro argues:
“The time has come to react - or disappear. To choose between sovereignty and vassalage. Europe has weapons at its disposal, especially economic ones, such as the Anti-Coercion Instrument, which it has never dared to use before and which Emmanuel Macron says should be activated now. Tariffs against tariffs, sanctions against sanctions: we have to acknowledge that the transatlantic alliance is in tatters and make it clear to Trump's America that in future it will be treated as what it is - a hostile power. ... The EU must unite around a hard core of sovereign states that share the same existential ambitions.”
Stop playing weak
The EU needs to finally fight back much harder, De Telegraaf demands:
“China and Canada have proven that Trump only responds to tough reactions. EU countries finally seem to be grasping this. ... And it's about time too. We have been playing down our importance for far too long. With 500 million consumers, Europe is an indispensable market for America, and leading companies such as ASML are crucial for the technology sector in the US. We must become aware of our own strength and dare to give Trump a taste of his own medicine. Otherwise, he'll just continue to run roughshod over us.”
Just bluffing
Trump's threats can hardly be taken seriously but they still pose a challenge for Europe, says La Stampa:
“To get Greenland, Donald Trump is forcing Europe to its knees - or vice versa: Greenland is providing him with a pretext to force Europe to its knees. The announced tariffs against eight European allies are a brutal slap in the face. The reasons given are childish and historically inaccurate. ... If this is a test of strength, Europe must be strong enough to confront it and not shy away from it. Then it will discover that Trump is far less powerful in this matter than he pretends to be. The use of tariffs hides a weak hand. Like a poker player who bluffs and tries to win the pot by raising the stakes.”
Europe showing courage
The Guardian sees the EU's united response to Trump's punitive tariffs against Greenland as an encouraging sign:
“This is not about economic security, unfair trade or protecting American workers. It is about using tariffs as a weapon to force nations to submit. The response from Europe has been united and swift. That in itself should send a message. ... Even Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, seen as ideologically close to Mr Trump, publicly called the tariff threat a 'mistake'. ... Mr Trump believes influence comes through ultimatums and coercion. But power, in the real world, rests on trust, predictability and persuading others to follow.”
Trump's second front against the continent
Only Congress can stop Trump now, says political analyst Volodymyr Horbach on Facebook:
“With his decision to impose new tariffs on the European allies of the Kingdom of Denmark, Donald Trump is effectively opening a second front against Europe. The second after Putin. ... This is no longer mere rhetoric in some political game. ... In my opinion, it's not just an act; Trump is indeed striving to go down in US history – just as Putin wanted to go down in Russian history. ... Putin's plans have been thwarted by Ukraine, although it's not over yet. And Trump's plans can probably only be stopped by Congress. No one else. There are still reasonable citizens and their representatives in the US. And relatively free elections are coming up soon.”