US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh threat of tariffs on eight European countries – including the UK and Norway – just days after he threatened to impose them over his bid to acquire Greenland.
The move appears to be an attempt by Trump to divide Europe and silence opposition to his plans, with several EU voting blocs vowing to block the deal. The two biggest groups in the European parliament - the EPP and S&Ds - have ruled out approving the EU-US trade agreement until Trump's tariffs are put on hold.
The 0% tariffs promised to the US as part of the deal remain unratified in the EU, despite having entered into force in the US. The UK, meanwhile, has its own limited trade deal with the EU that applies only to specific products, including cars and steel.
Trump's latest move is seen as a desperate attempt to win an argument and further his bid to acquire Greenland. It comes after European officials have consistently pushed back on any attempts by Trump to link tech laws with tariffs, despite both parties having a common interest in tackling cheaper Chinese imports.
"This is a negotiating tactic," said Mikkel Runge Olesen of the Danish Institute for International Studies. "We are never going to see American troops on the ground in Greenland."
Trump's threat has fired up EU officials, who have shown they are no longer willing to be bullied by the US president. An emergency meeting of EU ambassadors is expected on Sunday to discuss the latest development.
The move highlights the unstable nature of any deal with Trump and suggests that European countries will continue to push back against his aggressive tactics - at least for now.
The move appears to be an attempt by Trump to divide Europe and silence opposition to his plans, with several EU voting blocs vowing to block the deal. The two biggest groups in the European parliament - the EPP and S&Ds - have ruled out approving the EU-US trade agreement until Trump's tariffs are put on hold.
The 0% tariffs promised to the US as part of the deal remain unratified in the EU, despite having entered into force in the US. The UK, meanwhile, has its own limited trade deal with the EU that applies only to specific products, including cars and steel.
Trump's latest move is seen as a desperate attempt to win an argument and further his bid to acquire Greenland. It comes after European officials have consistently pushed back on any attempts by Trump to link tech laws with tariffs, despite both parties having a common interest in tackling cheaper Chinese imports.
"This is a negotiating tactic," said Mikkel Runge Olesen of the Danish Institute for International Studies. "We are never going to see American troops on the ground in Greenland."
Trump's threat has fired up EU officials, who have shown they are no longer willing to be bullied by the US president. An emergency meeting of EU ambassadors is expected on Sunday to discuss the latest development.
The move highlights the unstable nature of any deal with Trump and suggests that European countries will continue to push back against his aggressive tactics - at least for now.
! So, Trump thinks he can just impose tariffs on multiple EU countries as a negotiating tactic? Newsflash, dude: it's not gonna work 
. I mean, the EU is all like "no way, Jose" and they're even threatening to block the deal. And let's be real, it's not like anyone needs a 0% tariff to get on board 
.
. Like, they're showing him that you can't just bully people into getting what you want. And can we talk about how ridiculous it is for him to try to acquire Greenland? I mean, who needs a bunch of frozen land when you've got, like, the entire world at your feet 
.
. He needs to chill and find a way to work with people instead of trying to intimidate them 
. Until then, I'll be over here watching from the sidelines, popcorn in hand 
.
it's like, we see you, trump, and we're not gonna let you bully us around anymore. 
maybe this is a sign that european countries are finally waking up to each other and standing up for what they want... anyway, i just wish someone would come up with a better nickname than 'tariff titan' 
. First, he tries to make a move on Greenland and then suddenly decides to threaten everyone else? It's like he thinks we're all just gonna roll over because of his ego 
.
. And now this? It's like Trump is trying to recreate the 80s Cold War vibe or something 
. Newsflash, Donald: we're not afraid of you (well, maybe some countries are 
).
- it seems like a relic of the past, but sometimes things just come back around 
. Anyway, can't wait to see how this all plays out!
this whole thing is getting so out of hand. trump's trying to use tariffs as some kind of game to divide europe and silence opposition, but honestly, it's not going to work. the eu's not afraid of him and they're gonna keep pushing back on his tactics.
who cares if trump wants to buy it or not? it's like he thinks we're all just gonna sit around and let him make some arbitrary decision without any consequences. newsflash, dude: the eu's got a say in this too.
, how can you negotiate with someone who just makes things up as they go along? 
. and btw, what's with the Greenland thing again? 
does he really think a few billion dollars and some bragging rights will make him the coolest cat on the block? 
. The EU's all like "let's block this deal and show Trump who's boss", and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
And why is Trump trying to divide Europe? Is he not sure what's going on over there? 
Did you guys see that video of his speech the other day? He was speaking in like 10 different languages and I was like "what's going on" 