(Jan 18): French President Emmanuel Macron will request the activation of the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument after US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on European countries over Greenland.
Macron, who on Saturday branded the threat of tariffs “unacceptable,” was in contact with European counterparts and would make the request on behalf of France, according to a person close to the president who requested anonymity to comply with government rules.
Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries including France beginning Feb 1. He threatened in a social media post to raise the levy to 25% in June unless and until “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.
EU national ambassadors will meet Sunday to discuss the bloc’s next steps, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The EU’s anti-coercion instrument (ACI) is the bloc’s most powerful retaliatory tool. While it has never been used, the ACI was designed primarily as a deterrent, and if needed, to respond to deliberate coercive actions from third countries that use trade measures as a means to pressure the policy choices of the EU or its members.
Those measures could include tariffs, new taxes on tech companies or targeted curbs on investments in the EU. They could also involve limiting access to certain parts of the EU market or restricting firms from bidding for public contracts in Europe.
See also: Trump, Slovak Premier Fico meet to bolster ties, nuclear deal
According to the person familiar with Macron’s thinking, Trump’s plan to impose tariffs over Greenland calls into the question the validity of the trade deal sealed last year between the EU and the US. That deal has already been partially implemented but still needs a nod from Parliament, which is now likely to halt approval.
