The discussion comes in the wake of the US announcing punitive tariffs on imports from seven countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, in the dispute over Greenland. Regarding Europe’s response, Democratic Party Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said that no option should be ruled out at this stage and that Europe should enter negotiations on a strong foot.
Now, a coherent European response is what’s needed, according to Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) parliamentary group chairman Laurent Zeimet and Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) MP Yves Cruchten. Pirates MP Sven Clement shared a similar view, arguing that an attack on an EU member state or on its territory should be treated as an attack on all EU members, just as with NATO, and defended by all available means.
Fear is not a good advisor, says Green MP Sam Tanson. According to Tanson, while the US is a long-standing partner and Europe depends on them, especially in Ukraine, this should not drive Europe’s stance on this. She emphasised that it is unacceptable for Europe to look on as European territory is under discussions of being seized.
David Wagner, MP for the Left, also warned against overestimating Donald Trump’s power: “He is not omnipotent”. According to Wagner, Trump is unpopular with the American public and lacks strong support even within his own party. This weakness, he argued, is driving the president to act with increasing brutality on the domestic front too, as he seeks to consolidate power and transform the US into an authoritarian state. This, in Wagner’s eyes, would be extremely dangerous.
In response to President Trump’s escalating threats against Greenland, the planned EU trade agreement with the US has been put on ice. According to Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) MP Fred Keup, this is not necessarily a negative development, as it offers an opportunity to find a common line and return to more normal negotiations with the US.
Attention now turns to the US President’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, where Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden will also be present. On Thursday, EU Heads of State and government are scheduled to meet in Brussels.
