German industrialists call for EU response to Trump's tariffs

The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) has called on the European Commission to use its anti-coercion tool in response to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose new tariffs on European countries in connection with the dispute over Greenland.

This mechanism allows the EU to take countermeasures against third countries that seek to influence the decisions of member states economically.

VDMA President Bertram Kawlath warned that if the EU backs down, Trump will only be encouraged to make further demands. In a television interview, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel described the US president's stance as blackmail that damages transatlantic relations and Greenland itself.

On Saturday, Trump announced that he would impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight European countries, including Denmark and Germany, from February 1 if they did not agree to sell Greenland to the United States. He justified this by citing the island's strategic importance for US security.

EU ambassadors will meet on Sunday for an extraordinary meeting to discuss a joint response to the US tariff threats.

(reuters, max)