EU weighs tough restrictions in face of Trump tariffs but appeasement remains most likely path

"As the sun set over the port of Limassol in Cyprus, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, last Thursday used a tried and tested formula to describe the United States calling it one of our allies, our partners. Only 24 hours earlier, Denmark, an EU and Nato member state, had warned that Donald Trump was intent on conquering Greenland, but the reflex at the top of the EU executive to describe the US as a friend runs deep."

"Trump's weekend announcement that eight countries that have supported Greenland would face tariffs unless there was a deal to sell the territory to the US was another hammer to the transatlantic alliance, mocking the notion that the US is Europe's ally. The eight countries include six EU member states, as well as Norway and the UK, the latter unprotected by the much vaunted special relationship. It suggests that Europe's strategy of flatter and appease the US president has failed."

"For critics, exhibit A is von der Leyen's decision to sign a trade deal with Trump that was deeply skewed in favour of the US. While the EU agreed to eliminate tariffs on many US goods, it accepted 15% duties on many products and 50% on steel. After years of the EU extolling its heft as a trade player, the terms of the EU-US trade deal signed at Trump's Turnberry golf course last July were seen as a humiliation."

Ursula von der Leyen described the United States as an ally and partner during an appearance in Limassol, Cyprus. Denmark warned that Donald Trump intended to conquer Greenland. Trump announced that eight countries that had supported Greenland would face tariffs unless there was a deal to sell the territory to the US. The eight include six EU member states, Norway, and the UK. The move undermines Europe's conciliatory strategy toward the US and casts doubt on a recent EU–US trade agreement that reduced many tariffs while leaving 15% duties on some products and 50% on steel. The European Parliament united against the deal.

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