A transatlantic trade storm is brewing as the EU contemplates massive retaliation against U.S. policies. Per the Financial Times, the bloc is mulling tariffs up to 93 billion euros on Washington or blocking American companies from European markets, in response to tariff threats linked to Greenland.
Preparatory work is accelerating among officials to fortify EU positions for upcoming Davos clashes. The World Economic Forum will be the stage for President Trump’s encounters with key European players.
Drafted last year, the tariff roster was deferred to February 6 in a bid for peace. Greenland’s growing centrality shifted gears, with European envoys debating reactivation on Sunday. Legal avenues to limit U.S. firms’ EU footprint were also tabled, according to Xinhua.
Solidarity rings loud from the eight nations facing U.S. duties: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK affirmed unbreakable support for Denmark and Greenland.
Saturday saw Trump double down online, vowing 10% tariffs starting February 1 from these countries, rising to 25% by June 1 without a Greenland buyout deal.
Trump’s Davos visit mid-week promises charged dialogues, potentially with Ursula von der Leyen, alongside possible Ukraine alliance meets.
This episode reveals fault lines in U.S.-EU relations. Davos offers a last chance for dialogue before actions speak louder, with profound implications for international trade stability.