The long-standing transatlantic alliance faces an unprecedented crisis as US President Donald Trump’s demand for the acquisition of Greenland escalated into tariff threats against eight European nations, including six EU member states. This move has fundamentally challenged the notion of the US as Europe's ally, despite European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen's earlier attempts to describe the US as a partner.

Trump explicitly stated his intention to levy 10% tariffs from February 1, increasing to 25% from June 1, on countries that have deployed troops to Greenland in support of its sovereignty. These nations – Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland – were accused by Trump of playing a “very dangerous game” and were told tariffs would remain “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” Trump justified his stance by emphasizing Greenland’s criticality for US security, alleging that “China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”

This aggressive posture has profoundly impacted the EU-US trade deal, which was controversially signed last summer between von der Leyen and Trump at Turnberry. Critics already viewed the deal as heavily skewed in favor of the US, with the EU agreeing to eliminate tariffs on many US goods while accepting 15% duties on many European products and 50% on steel. Von der Leyen had defended it as providing “crucial stability,” but Trump’s latest threats have derailed its ratification. The European Parliament, from radical left to far right, has united against the agreement, with leaders like France’s Jordan Bardella calling for its suspension and Manfred Weber of the European People’s Party calling for ratification to be paused.

In response to Trump’s threats, European leaders convened urgent meetings, including an emergency summit called by European Council President António Costa. EU member states expressed strong solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, asserting their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Many leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, denounced Trump’s threats as “commercial blackmail” and a “mistake.”

A central point of discussion was the potential activation of the EU’s powerful but untested Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), often dubbed the “big bazooka.” Originally conceived to counter economic pressure from China, this regulation allows the EU to impose sweeping restrictions on goods and services, suspend investment, or intellectual property protections against countries engaged in economic blackmail. France, led by President Emmanuel Macron, strongly advocated for triggering the ACI if Trump proceeds with tariffs. However, other leaders, such as Meloni, cautioned against immediate activation, suggesting a preference for dialogue and diplomatic approaches, partially due to Europe’s historical security dependence on the US, particularly concerning support for Ukraine.

Beyond the ACI, the EU is also considering reviving a €93-billion retaliation package, which was prepared last year amidst trade uncertainties but shelved after the summer trade deal. This package foresees retaliatory EU tariffs of up to 30% on a range of US products, from cars to poultry. While the EU backed off from immediately deploying the