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EU Leaders Warn of “Dangerous Spiral” After Trump’s Tariff Threat
Brussels, Belgium – January 18, 2026 – European Union leaders have expressed serious concern over a potential trade war after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to impose significant tariffs on eight European countries unless the United States is permitted to purchase Greenland . The announcement, made on January 17, 2026, has prompted an emergency meeting of EU ambassadors and warnings of a coordinated response.
EU Response and Concerns
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and antonio Costa, President of the European Council, released a joint statement via X (formerly Twitter) emphasizing the EU’s commitment to defending its sovereignty. They warned that the proposed tariffs would “undermine transatlantic relations and carry the risk of a dangerous downward spiral.”
Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and carry the risk of a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united,coordinated and committed to defending its sovereignty.
Kaja Kallas,the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,added that the tariffs would harm prosperity on both sides of the atlantic and divert attention from critical issues,particularly supporting Ukraine in the face of russian aggression . She further
