By Martin Banks

MEPs have reacted with fury to President Donald Trump´s recent threats to impose sweeping tariffs on Europeans over Greenland.

Their response comes just ahead of a debate on the heated issue due to be held at the EU parliament plenary later this week.

Speaking on the eve of that debate, Green/EFA leaders Bas Eickhout and Terry Reintke have called for “European unity and a strong response” including the activation of the Anti-Coercion Instrument.

Debate on the EU’s response to President Trump’s claims to Greenland will take place in Strasbourg.

On Monday (19 January), Eickhout said: “The EU must now show unity and strength.”

The veteran MEP added: “Greenland is not for sale. It is now time to stand up to the bully – the Commission must immediately start the activation of the Anti-Coercion Instrument. Of course, in the current circumstances it is out of question for the EU to implement the Turnberry deal with the US.

“Donald Trump’s attacks are playing in the hands of the Russian and Chinese autocrats. Europe needs to show it is ready to preserve its territorial integrity.”

His comments are echoed by Reintke, who noted: “Europe must stand strong and united against the US President’s threats. You stop a bully only by standing firm and showing strength. For now, a trade deal is off the table. 

“A strong European response means triggering the Anti-Coercion Instrument and targeting US Big Tech and its enormous profits in the EU. Discussions on Europe’s strategic autonomy must now translate into actions. Europe urgently needs to become independent from the US. 

“As the world’s largest single market, the EU has the power to stand up to the US President, it just needs to use it.”

Elsewhere, Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer also spoke out on the latest escalations regarding the latest tariffs announcements by the US.

Hayer, said, “If the United States wants to play hardball because it thinks the EU is just a soft power that will simply take it, let this be clear: the U.S. is making not only a dangerous miscalculation, but a painful one,” said Hayer.

Hayer added, “The EU Anti-Coercion Instrument has never been used before, but Renew Europe is now demanding its activation. Anti-coercition is our economic nuclear weapon.It allows immediate retaliation: punitive tariffs, market bans, financial sanctions, suspension of US patents and licenses, without the UN or the WTO.

“The US exports over 500 billion dollars a year to the EU. We are their biggest market. Trump should think twice. We are not afraid to use deterrence for our defense.”

She has written to European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to “shift from reliance to deterrence in the face of escalating US pressure”.