The EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, often referred to as the trade “bazooka,” provides punitive measures against trade rivals attempting to threaten the bloc. These measures include investment restrictions, limitations on access to public procurement, and intellectual property protection constraints.
While the European Parliament has urged action, the European Commission would need to activate the Anti-Coercion Instrument in response to Trump’s threats. This requires approval from a qualified majority of countries, which could be challenging due to existing divisions among EU nations over potential backlash from Washington.
Renew leader Valérie Hayer described Trump’s actions as “unacceptable” and urged a shift from reliance to deterrence.
Hayer stated in a post on X that the EU should be ready with targeted and proportionate countermeasures, emphasizing that the Anti-Coercion Instrument should be considered for such economic intimidation.
Bernd Lange, a German S&D MEP and chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, also supported deploying the “bazooka.” He stated this aligns with the Anti-Coercive Measures Act’s intention to counter political use of trade policy, urging the EU Commission to start proceedings and an investigation immediately.
Kathleen Van Brempt, the S&D’s vice president for trade, echoed the call for using the Anti-Coercion Instrument, condemning Trump’s use of tariffs and economic threats for territorial claims. She warned that agreeing to the trade deal would not be a ‘pragmatic’ decision but a foolish one.
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