All posts tagged: Trade Defense

EU should learn from Trump’s tariffs, not ‘get angry’ – POLITICO

EU should learn from Trump’s tariffs, not ‘get angry’ – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“That may also enable us to provide concrete answers to the questions raised by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta. Because we know full well that the European Union really needs to make a huge investment effort, particularly in innovation,” Forissier said, referring to landmark strategy recommendations from the two former Italian PMs.  “Basically, the Americans are doing us a favor by forcing us to take action, make decisions, and step outside our comfort zones or areas of uncertainty that suited us just fine.” Forissier’s comments were a departure from the usually more hawkish French position toward Washington. As recently as January, President Emmanuel Macron called for the EU to use its strongest trade weapon in response to Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.  France has been the fiercest supporter of making the EU economically less dependent on the rest of the world, with Macron for years pushing for more public investment in the EU economy and for more trade defense and “Made in Europe” measures to ensure European firms can compete with their Asian and U.S. …

Berlin weighs digital tax in response to Trump tariff threats – POLITICO

Berlin weighs digital tax in response to Trump tariff threats – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Government talks have focused on restraint, with officials emphasizing the need to stay calm and avoid emotional reactions. At a press conference Monday, a government spokesperson said Merz was “a rational person who does not put a stamp on international relations.” Merz, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has argued for a measured response. Yet Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, a Social Democrat, has left the door open to tougher options. “We should now examine the use of these measures,” he said, referring to the EU’s trade defense toolbox, including the Anti-Coercion Instrument — the bloc’s untested trade bazooka — that could be used to target services such as tech. While Merz remains reserved, senior lawmakers from within his Christian Democrat camp are openly advocating retaliation aimed at U.S. tech firms. Sepp Müller, the deputy parliamentary leader of the CSU and its Bavarian sister party, called on Monday for a digital tax and even import bans on U.S. products. “The issue will certainly come onto the table,” Ralph Brinkhaus, the conservative group’s digital policy spokesperson, …

‘Europe will not be blackmailed:’ Denmark embraces allies’ support on Greenland – POLITICO

‘Europe will not be blackmailed:’ Denmark embraces allies’ support on Greenland – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“We’re not the ones looking for conflict,” Frederiksen stated. “At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is an issue that reaches far beyond our own borders,” she added. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was one of Frederiksen’s colleagues stressing that European countries “will not let ourselves be blackmailed.” “This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out,” Kristersson said in a post on X on Saturday. Frederiksen’s comments on Sunday came after Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the U.K. — the eight countries targeted by Trump’s tariff threat — banded together to defend the “pre-coordinated Danish exercise” in Greenland that was cited by Trump in his Truth Social post about the new tariffs. “It poses no threat to anyone,” the capitals argued, reaffirming that they “stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.” The U.S. threats of tariffs “risk a dangerous downward spiral,” the countries added. Source link

Macron to urge EU to use trade ‘bazooka’ in response to Trump’s tariffs – POLITICO

Macron to urge EU to use trade ‘bazooka’ in response to Trump’s tariffs – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European countries that oppose his plans to take control of Greenland. EU ambassadors are convening an emergency meeting later Sunday to respond to the tariff threat. Macron responded later Saturday by saying: “Tariff threats are unacceptable.” “No intimidation or threat will influence us,” Macron said in a post on X. “Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner … We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld,” he added. According to a person close to Macron, the U.S. approach “raises the question” of how valid the trade deal Brussels reached with Washington last summer is. The European Parliament is already poised to take action by blocking the ratification of that EU-U.S. trade agreement — signed by Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last July. Conservative party chief Manfred Weber said on Saturday that it was “not possible at this stage” to approve the deal. Activating the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument would be a much bigger step as it would mean deploying a mechanism originally designed for unfriendly states against the …