The EU warns that it will respond to the US's trade threats regarding Greenland.

The European Commission confirms that it has trade defense instruments and is consulting at the leader level following the US threats regarding tariffs related to Greenland, insisting, however, that the priority is to avoid escalation. The EU warns that it will respond to US trade threats regarding GreenlandDisplay image information EU officials have addressed US threats regarding tariffs related to Greenland and presented the Union's willingness to respond, emphasizing at the same time the priority given to dialogue and restraint. The European Union is facing a major geopolitical crisis after the US administration threatened to impose trade tariffs to force the sale of Greenland, and the European Commission states that it is ready to respond if these threats turn into concrete measures.

In short The US threatens tariffs of up to 10% in the context of Greenland. The European Commission states that it will defend the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. The EU's anti-coercion instrument remains available, but the priority is dialogue. A package of trade retaliation worth 93 billion euros can be automatically reactivated in February.

Addressed during the European Commission's daily briefing on the threats from the US administration to impose trade tariffs to force the sale of Greenland, the Commission's spokesperson stated that the European Union has tools to protect its economic and strategic interests.

The spokesperson cited the position publicly expressed by the President of the European Commission: emphasizing that Ursula Von der Leyen stated that "We firmly maintain our commitment to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. We will always protect our economic and strategic security interests. We will face these challenges to European solidarity calmly and resolutely."

Commission representatives confirmed that intense consultations are taking place among EU leaders, and the President of the European Council indicated the possibility of convening an extraordinary European Council this week to address the situation. At the same time, the European executive emphasized that the priority is to avoid escalation. The Commission's spokesperson stated: "Our priority is to engage in dialogue, not to escalate, and to avoid imposing tariffs, as these would ultimately affect consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic."

In this context, the Commission reiterated that the European Union's anti-coercion instrument has never been withdrawn. It remains available in case trade threats materialize. The spokesperson specified that "The anti-coercion instrument has been in place for several years and we are fully aware of how and when to use it."

The Commission also emphasized that the main role of this instrument is deterrence, adding that simply mentioning the possibility of its use can have a dissuasive effect. Meanwhile, Commission representatives reminded of the existence of a package of trade rebalancing measures worth 93 billion euros, adopted last July. The suspension of this package expires on February 6, and in the absence of a decision to extend it, the measures would automatically come into force on February 7. The spokesperson specified, however, that no decision has been made in this regard up to this moment.

Regarding the possibility that US tariffs may target only certain member states, the Commission explained that the European Union operates as a single market and a customs union, and goods are considered of EU origin. Selective application of tariffs would be technically possible for a third country, but it would be extremely complex administratively and would disrupt transatlantic trade, including for American importers.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, has major strategic importance in the Arctic, including from the perspective of security, maritime routes, and resources. The European Commission treats the tariff threats posed by the US administration not just as a trade dispute, but as an act of economic coercion with geopolitical and sovereignty implications. The EU states that it will continue diplomatic efforts to avoid escalation, while at the same time keeping response instruments ready.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/ue-avertizeaza-ca-va-raspunde-amenintarilor-comerciale-ale-sua-privind-groenlanda