European leaders warn of ‘dangerous downward spiral’ with US over Trump’s tariff threats
London: European leaders are hardening their stance against US President Donald Trump despite threatening new tariffs on their exports, warning of a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations with the US in the dispute over Greenland.
But while this debate has the potential to devastate the NATO alliance, they are careful to avoid personal remarks that could inflame disagreements with Trump.
Instead, the eight senior leaders are turning Trump’s demands into a test of sovereignty for all of them, and it’s something they can’t give up.
In the statement made by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, it was said: “We stand in full solidarity with the people of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland.”
“Following the process that started last week, we are ready to enter into a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we firmly stand behind.
“Tariff threats are undermining transatlantic relations and leading to a dangerous decline. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are determined to protect our sovereignty.”
A key point in the statement is the reference to “our” sovereignty, not just the borders of Greenland or Denmark. European leaders see this as a bigger problem because Trump is so openly using economic pressure against them.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sums this up with a message welcoming support from neighbors.
“Europe will not be blackmailed,” he writes. “At the same time, it has become clearer that this is an issue that goes beyond our borders.”
So far there is no sign that leaders will hold an emergency meeting to show their unity against Trump. It is rumored that the ambassadors will come together.
Although some media outlets have called this an “emergency” meeting, Europe’s strategy appears designed to avoid panic.
Trump is using tactics that convey drama and increase pressure by setting a Feb. 1 deadline for new 10 percent tariffs on eight countries. He says this rate will increase to 25 percent on June 1.
The president appears to have taken offense to a small military exercise that eight countries have been carrying out in recent days in support of Denmark, an operation called Arctic Endurance. This includes around 15 personnel from France and the same personnel from Germany, but only a single officer from Britain.
There isn’t much time for Trump to calm down, but he has pushed back deadlines with tariff threats in the past.
This time, European leaders may want to avoid the impression that they are rushing to compromise. Many are seeing the opportunity to speak with Trump in just a few days when he attends the World Economic Forum in Davos.
‘When faced with such situations, no intimidation or threat will affect us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world.’
French President Emmanuel Macron
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he hoped to see Trump in Davos. So far there has been no announcement of a larger summit on the sidelines of the Swiss meeting.
Last October, in one of many trade disputes with the United States, the Chinese government said, “We don’t want a tariff war, but we don’t fear one either.”
The lesson of last year for Europeans was that engaging Trump in a debate over tariffs would not bring real certainty, as another debate and another tariff threat would likely ensue.
excessive movement
While there is talk that Europe will react with defensive decisions, such as threatening to withdraw support for American bases in their countries, this would be an extreme move that would only weaken security for all of them.
The danger to be aware of is that Trump may decide to cut off military support to NATO forces in Europe and force countries to show greater commitment to the alliance. Republicans say he has gone too far in threatening tariffs against NATO allies, so they may try to stop him from making things worse.
Even if the message from Europe does not change Trump’s mind, there is a possibility that recommendations from Republican supporters will prevent Trump from doing further damage to the NATO alliance.
The official rejection by eight European leaders reinforced statements made in the hours after Trump announced his new move.
The most provocative of these is French President Emmanuel Macron, who draws a parallel between America’s pressure on Greenland and Russia’s pressure on Ukraine.
“When we face such situations, no intimidation or threat will affect us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world,” Macron told X.
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.”
Macron, like others, takes a firm stance in public. The question now is: Is Trump thinking better about his decision, or is he choosing to step up the pressure?
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