EU Ambassadors sideline Macon’s hardline push against Trump’s Greenland tariffs

European Union ambassadors, following their emergency meeting on Sunday, have agreed to intensify diplomatic efforts to avert U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs over Greenland while simultaneously preparing significant retaliatory measures, including potential tariffs on €93 billion of U.S. imports.

This balanced approach – prioritizing dialogue first but readying countermeasures – reflects a unified stance amid escalating transatlantic tensions, with an extraordinary leaders’ summit scheduled for Thursday to finalize strategies.

The three-hour session in Brussels, convened by Cyprus as the rotating EU presidency, ended with a consensus on engaging constructively with the Trump administration to de-escalate the crisis, while defending European sovereignty and international law.

European Council President Antonio Costa announced plans for the an in-person extraordinary summit, emphasizing that “EU leaders are ready to engage constructively with the U.S. while defending against any form of coercion.”

My consultations with member states on the latest tensions over Greenland reconfirm our strong commitment to the following:

▪️ Unity on the principles of international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty;

▪️ Unity in support of and solidarity with Denmark and…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) January 18, 2026

The date of the summit is not set yet, but it is widely expected to take place on Thursday (22 January).

The European Commission is set to provide a further update later on Monday, potentially outlining immediate next steps.

Trump’s Saturday announcement targeted Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Britain, and Norway with 10% tariffs starting 1 February, escalating to 25% by June unless the U.S. secures Greenland – a move decried as “blackmail” by leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Trump vows tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland

Protests in Greenland’s Nuuk and Copenhagen underscored public opposition, with thousands rallying against any annexation.

Key retaliatory options discussed include reviving a suspended €93 billion tariff package on U.S. goods – such as cars, industrial products, food, and drink – which could activate automatically on February 6, enjoying broad support among member states.

This €93 billion tariff package stems from prior disputes and was paused after last summer’s EU-U.S. deal.

France dangles ACI ‘bazooka’

France advocates activating the untapped Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), which could restrict U.S. access to EU public tenders, investments, banking, or services in surplus areas like digital tech, though this faces less consensus due to its novelty.

Sources close to the Élysée Palace emphasized that Macron had been in contact with European counterparts throughout the day, advocating for a “firm, united, and coordinated European response” through the ACI should the U.S. follow through.

Macron himself stated on Saturday: “No intimidation or threat will influence us – neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.” He branded the tariff threats “unacceptable” and reiterated that Europeans would respond in a “united and coordinated manner” to uphold sovereignty. French officials described the ACI as essential to counter “mafioso methods” and geopolitical coercion via trade.

During the EU ambassadors’ emergency meeting in Brussels on Sunday, France’s envoy reportedly raised the ACI prominently, aligning with broader discussions on retaliation. However, support for immediate activation remains mixed: while France pushes hard, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin called it “a bit premature,” and the more conventional €93 billion tariff package on U.S. goods appears to enjoy broader backing as a first step.

Adopted in 2023, the ACI has not been activated until now. Such activation would require a formal Commission proposal, Council approval (often by qualified majority), and potentially Parliament input in some cases.

Diplomats hope for de-escalation at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, where Trump is keynote speaker, potentially enabling direct talks.

In the meantime, extreme ideas like boycotting the U.S.-hosted World Cup remain marginal.

With agencies.

Caption: French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a meeting on the institutional future of New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 16 January 2026. EPA/YOAN VALAT / POOL