Trump announced tariffs on Saturday against eight nations deploying troops to Greenland, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the European Union. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot labeled the outburst as “incomprehensible” and “unnecessarily hostile,” adding that “these discussions among allies are being met with laughter in Russia and China; they are probably watching this with a bucket of popcorn.”
The announcement has also astonished members of the European Parliament. The three pro-European groups in the Parliament (EPP, S&D, and Renew) have declared their intention to temporarily halt the approval of the trade agreement between the EU and the US.
“The EPP supports the trade agreement, but in light of Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not feasible at this time,” EPP leader Manfred Weber stated on Saturday via X. He emphasized that the zero tariffs on American products must be suspended.
Renew chair Valérie Hayer and Kathleen Van Brempt, the social democratic vice-chair of the Committee on International Trade, echoed this sentiment. Both groups are urging the implementation of the anti-coercion instrument against the United States. “If this isn’t coercion, then what is? Europe must now take the initiative, alongside like-minded global partners, to form a broader international coalition in response,” remarked Van Brempt.
According to his team, French President Emmanuel Macron also supports the call for activating the anti-coercion instrument.
(Brussels, 18 January 2026)
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