Calls grow for the EU to deploy its ultimate trade bazooka as Trump threatens fresh tariffs to force the sale of Greenland. The anti-coercion instrument would shut off access to the European single market, punishing US companies. It is powerful on paper, but untested in real life.
Pressure is growing on European leaders to deploy its trade bazooka against the United States after President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs if Denmark does not agree to sell the territory of Greenland. In a scenario of coercion, the EU counts with a powerful tool in the anti-coertion instrument, and calls are intensifying for Brussels to trigger it.
But how does it work? Euronews explains:
Good first step, but this is so quintessentially EU. "You’d better not force our decision making, lest we wait for months! You’d better not keep at it then, or else we’ll come talk to you!! You’re still coercing us? We’re now strongly thinking about counter measures, one of them being actual leverage!!!
We don’t want to fold to idiot autocrats and we definitely don’t want any US threats to our souverignity and (autonomous) EU countries.
Tariffs and trade barriers are like shooting yourselves in the foot.This anti coercion instrument has never been applied and is kind of last resort thing. But could probably cause a Covid-era like inflation here in the EU.
I’ll be happy though to see the old Trump deal rejected by EP and EU, and have a new or better one .If this instrument really works, it’s one of the few things we have that might shut the “Orange Menace” up. If we are to use it, we need all memberstates to be on board, or else it won’t work and it will only cost us.
It will definitely force Europe to digitally decouple from the US, so maybe it’s the only way forward (#e: syn).
