EU leaders scramble to avoid friction with the US under Trump and avoid a 'stupid tariff war'
European Union leaders are grappling with how to respond to the United States as it appears determined to start a trade war or even seize part of their territory
BRUSSELS — After three years spent trying to deter Russia from destroying Ukraine, European Union leaders grappled on Monday with how to respond to a major ally who appears determined to start a trade war or even seize part of their territory.
It would “be a cruel paradox if, during the time of this direct Russian threat and Chinese expansion,” the EU and the United States might end up in a “conflict among allies," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
Since taking office last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports and refused to rule out military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
Trump has also mystified Europeans by showing little sign of how he intends to end the war in Ukraine within six months as promised, let alone in a day, as he boasted while campaigning last year.
“We have to do everything to avoid this totally unnecessary and stupid tariff war or trade war,” the Polish prime minister told reporters in Brussels, where EU leaders met for talks on boosting and improving military spending and ramping up Europe’s defense industry.
Tusk said Trump’s threats amount to “a serious test” of European unity, and “in a very strange context, because it’s the first time where we have such a problem among allies.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU is “a power that stands its ground” and that if hit with tariffs, the 27-nation bloc “would have to make itself respected.” He said Trump’s threats are “pushing
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