MEPs may freeze trade agreement with the US

The European Parliament is considering suspending the implementation of a trade agreement with the US in response to President Donald Trump's statements about the possible annexation of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. The Parliament was originally scheduled to vote on removing most tariffs on US goods and maintaining zero tariffs on US lobsters on January 26-27, but MEPs are now discussing a postponement.

On Wednesday, a group of 23 MEPs called on European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to suspend negotiations on the agreement unless Washington backs down from its territorial ambitions.

"Approving an agreement that Trump sees as a personal victory while threatening to annex Greenland would be seen as a reward for him," said Danish lawmaker Per Clausen.

Both centrist and left-wing MEPs, including the Greens, expressed concerns about the one-sidedness of the agreement and criticized the US president for creating chaos. Some warned that freezing the agreement could provoke US retaliation in the form of higher tariffs. The Trump administration has already ruled out any concessions until the agreement enters into force.

No final decision has yet been made on postponing the vote, with the parliamentary committee set to meet again next week.

(reuters, max)