Macron to Seek EU Anti-Coercion Tool Over US Tariffs Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to activate the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument should the United States impose new tariffs on European countries over the Greenland dispute. Macron, who is in constant contact with his European counterparts, plans this move in response to what European leaders are widely condemning as "blackmail" and "economic warfare."

Europeans Denounce Trump's Tariff Threats

The controversy began when Donald Trump threatened eight European nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, with increased customs duties. This threat comes as a punitive measure for their opposition to his attempts to acquire Greenland, sparking widespread indignation and a unified search for a response to this unprecedented escalation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on X, "Tariff threats weaken transatlantic relations and risk leading to a dangerous negative spiral. We are united and stand in solidarity with Denmark and the Greenlandic people. As NATO members, we are determined to strengthen Arctic security, a common transatlantic interest."

European Nations Stand United

In a joint statement, the threatened European countries—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—declared they "will remain united" in their response. "Threats of customs surtaxes undermine transatlantic relations and risk dragging our countries into a dangerous spiral. We will continue to remain united and coordinated in our response. We are determined to defend our sovereignty," they asserted.

Norway Cautious on Countermeasures

Norway, a non-EU member but one of the eight targeted nations, has indicated it will not consider countermeasures "for the moment." Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told NRK, "I think we need to think carefully to avoid a trade war that would spiral out of control. Nobody has an interest in that. This is not something we are considering for now, no," when asked about potential retaliatory measures.

"Unacceptable Economic Blackmail" and "Economic Warfare"

Bruno Retailleau, leader of the French Les Républicains party, denounced Trump's actions as "unacceptable economic blackmail to force a territorial annexation." He called for a strong and unambiguous European response: "customs reciprocity and commercial retaliation measures with the mobilization of our trade defense and anti-coercion tools."

France's Junior Minister for the Armed Forces, Alice Rufo, went further, describing Trump's threats as "a form of economic warfare." Speaking on France 3, she stated, "We are entering an area that falls under coercion from the United States, which is fundamentally the desire to impose a policy through very violent economic retaliation... It's a bit absurd because it's a way of punishing allies who ultimately want to do what the United States wants, which is to get more involved in the Arctic."

Rufo also clarified that the presence of European military personnel in Greenland, which Trump cited as a reason for his threats, was for a reconnaissance mission related to an exercise with Denmark, aimed at defending Danish sovereignty.

Meloni Calls Threats an "Error"

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, calling Trump's threats an "error." She told journalists in Seoul that she had spoken with Trump a few hours earlier and conveyed her viewpoint: "I think imposing new sanctions today would be a mistake."

EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument

Macron's entourage confirmed that the French President would request the "activation of the anti-coercion instrument" of the EU if Trump's tariff threats are carried out. This tool, which requires a qualified majority of EU countries for implementation, allows for measures such as freezing access to European public procurement markets or blocking certain investments.

Additionally, French presidential advisors noted that the American trade threats "raise the question of the validity of the agreement" on customs tariffs concluded between the European Union and the United States last July.

Dutch Foreign Minister Cites "Blackmail"

The Dutch Foreign Minister echoed the strong condemnations, stating on Sunday that Donald Trump's threat to impose new tariffs on European allies until they agree to sell Greenland to the United States amounts to "blackmail."