"For all Donald Trump's bluster about restoring American strength, his attempt to bully European allies over Greenland reveals a deeper weakness: coercive diplomacy only works if people are afraid to resist. Increasingly, they aren't. And that is a good thing. Bullies often back down when confronted their power relies on fear. Mr Trump's threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Europeans unless they acquiesce to his demand to purchase Greenland has stripped his trade policy bare."
"This is not about economic security, unfair trade or protecting American workers. It is about using tariffs as a weapon to force nations to submit. The response from Europe has been united and swift. That in itself should send a message. France's Emmanuel Macron says plainly no amount of intimidation will alter Europe's position. Denmark has anchored the issue firmly inside Nato's collective security. EU leaders have warned that tariff threats risk a dangerous downward spiral."
"What Mr Trump did not reckon with was that intimidating Europe would carry institutional consequences. The European parliament is now moving to pause ratification of the EU-US trade deal that European leaders were pressured by the US to accept last summer. The three largest parliamentary blocs in Strasbourg conservatives, social democrats and liberals are marching together. In Brussels, this is not theatre. The EU runs trade policy, not individual capitals, as Britain found out during Brexit."
Donald Trump's attempt to bully European allies over Greenland exposes a fundamental weakness: coercive diplomacy depends on fear, and that fear is waning. The tariff threat aimed to compel European acquiescence rather than address economic security or unfair trade. European reactions were unified and decisive: Macron rejected intimidation, Denmark framed the issue within NATO, and EU leaders warned of a dangerous spiral. Institutional consequences followed as the European Parliament moved to pause ratification of the EU-US trade deal, with major parliamentary blocs aligning. The EU asserted control over trade policy, while the UK joined allies in cautioning against tariff escalation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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