Trump renews Greenland bid, threatens tariffs as EU contemplates 'trade bazooka'
President Trump renewed his bid for Greenland, threatened escalating tariffs on European allies and texted Norway; the EU is considering now activating its Anti‑Coercion Instrument.
Overview
Trump sent a message to Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre claiming Norway denied him a Nobel Prize and asserting the US needs "Complete and Total Control of Greenland", heightening tensions.
Trump threatened 10% tariffs from Feb.1 and 25% from June1 on exports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland tied to Greenland negotiations.
Denmark and Greenland maintain the territory is not for sale; eight targeted countries held an emergency EU meeting and issued a joint statement of solidarity with Denmark.
The EU’s Anti‑Coercion Instrument (the "trade bazooka") could impose steep tariffs, restrict market access, limit investment and block public contracts; activation requires an investigation and qualified‑majority vote.
If used, the ACI could hit US goods, services and large tech firms while also raising European consumer costs; most leaders still prefer diplomacy but reserve retaliation options.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a serious breach of alliance norms and a test of U.S. institutions. They foreground legal and military consequences, prioritize European leaders’ unified rebuttals and expert critiques, and use evaluative terms (e.g., 'sustained belligerence,' 'stunning'), while giving limited space to administration defenses or alternative interpretations.
Sources (8)
FAQ
The EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, known as the 'trade bazooka', allows the EU to impose steep tariffs, restrict market access, limit investment, and block public contracts in response to economic coercion; it requires an investigation and qualified-majority vote for activation.
History
5 sources