European Union on trump tariff – Artifex.News

France supports suspension of EU-U.S. trade deal over Greenland tariff threats, says Foreign Minister

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:55:00 +0000

“When the United States makes an unacceptable proposal, France is prepared to say no,” Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on social media. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

France supports the suspension of a trade deal between the European Union and ‌the U.S., Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the French Parliament on Tuesday (January 20, 2026), as a row over the future of Greenland intensified. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a further wave of tariffs on some European nations until he is allowed to take control of ⁠Greenland, to the dismay of European leaders.

“The threat of customs duties (is) being used as blackmail to obtain unjustifiable ⁠concessions,” Mr. Barrot said, adding that the European Commission has “very powerful instruments” to respond to Trump’s threats.

The European Parliament is expected ‌to formally suspend on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) its ‌work on the trade deal struck with the U.S. last summer ‍in protest over Trump’s threats, EU lawmakers said.

The Parliament had been due ‍to vote on removing many EU import duties on January 26-27, but Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party, the largest group in Parliament, said late on Saturday that approval was not possible for now.

In a post ⁠on the social media platform X, Mr. Barrot said France wants to continue working with the U.S. on security ⁠and peace. “But when the United States makes an unacceptable proposal, it (France) is prepared to say no,” Mr. Barrot wrote.

Published – January 20, 2026 11:25 pm IST

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EU slams Trump tariffs, says will ‘respond firmly’ if targeted

admin — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 17:34:04 +0000

Brussels had until now indicated it hoped to avoid a trade conflict with Mr. Trump through negotiation. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The European Union on Sunday (February 2, 2025) blasted U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, and said the 27-nation bloc would hit back “firmly” if targeted.

Brussels had until now indicated it hoped to avoid a trade conflict with Mr. Trump through negotiation.

But on Friday (January 31, 2025) the U.S. leader doubled down by saying he “absolutely” planned to target the EU in future, as he slapped levies on his north American neighbours and China.

“The European Union regrets the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China,” said a spokesman for the European Commission.

“Tariffs create unnecessary economic disruption and drive inflation. They are hurtful to all sides.”

The spokesman said “the EU would respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods”.

“At this time, we are not aware of any additional tariffs being imposed on EU products,” he added.

He said the 27-nation EU remained committed to low tariffs as a way to “drive growth and economic stability within a strong, rules-based trading system”.

And he reiterated the EU’s commitment to its trade and investment relationship with the United States — “the biggest in the world”.

“There is a lot at stake,” said the spokesman. “We should both be looking at strengthening this relationship.”

Published – February 02, 2025 11:04 pm IST

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