EU mulling 'trade bazooka' as Trump ramps up pressure on Greenland
European Union ambassadors have reached a broad agreement to intensify efforts to dissuade President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on European allies while also preparing retaliatory measures should the American president follow through on his threats.
The consideration, reached Jan. 18, comes as Trump announced that eight NATO countries will face a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, effective Feb. 1, until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, a step major EU states decried as blackmail. The tariff would increase to 25% on June 1 if a deal to purchase the region is not reached, Trump said.
French President Emmanuel Macron floated using the European Union's anti-coercion instrument against the United States as part of numerous exchanges with European leaders, a diplomat told USA TODAY. The diplomat added that Macron reaffirmed to his counterparts the importance of a firm and coordinated European response.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said that while there should be no doubt the EU would retaliate, it was "a bit premature" to activate the instrument.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/eu-mulling-trade-bazooka-trumps-021055978.html