Brussels, January 18 – The European Union is preparing to respond firmly after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional import tariffs on several European countries over the Greenland dispute. Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, has called on the European Commission to activate the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument without delay.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, Lange wrote on LinkedIn that the time has come to implement this instrument and deliver a clear and strong response from the European Union. He urged the Commission to initiate the process immediately to counter the threat.
Trump announced on Saturday that starting February 1, a 10 percent tariff would be applied to all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. This move follows a growing dispute related to Greenland.
Lange described Trump’s threat as “unbelievable” and criticised the use of tariffs as a new and dangerous political weapon. He emphasised that under such circumstances, the EU cannot continue with business as usual.
He also pointed out that the US action violates the EU-US trade and tariff agreement reached in Scotland in July 2025. Lange mentioned that the European Parliament will discuss this issue again with various political groups next week.
Given the current situation, Lange said it is unlikely that normal proceedings can continue, suggesting the possibility of a halt in future work. “I cannot imagine that we can continue working as usual, and I think we will stop our further efforts,” he stated.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with defence and foreign policy decisions controlled by the Copenhagen government. The US has a military base on the island.
Donald Trump has long shown interest in Greenland. During his first term as president, he proposed purchasing Greenland. Recently, his efforts have intensified, including discussions about using the US military, deepening the crisis surrounding Greenland.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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