Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542709
DONALD Trump's fixation with Greenland is pos- sibly one of the toughest existential threats the Eu- ropean Union has had to face in years. Trump's in- sistence that he wants to 'take' the Arctic island is a direct threat to Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty. The situation is only made worse by the fact that the threat is coming from a country that was once a trusted ally. And to compound matters, Trump has now an- nounced the imposition of US tariffs on the Euro- pean countries that have refused his overtures over Greenland. The whole affair is testing the EU's resolve to stand together as one voice—to stand side by side with Denmark, Greenland and the European states hit by spiteful US tariffs. This is no time for hesitation or unconditional compromise. Unfortunately, Trump only under- stands the language of confrontation and unless the EU is going to adopt a similar style, the American president will remain a perpetual antagonist. Trump's imposition of tariffs on those countries that have refused his advances over Greenland must elicit an equally strong and opposite reaction from the EU. A tariff war is in nobody's interest but if that is the only logic Trump will understand then so be it. The EU must hit back with retaliatory tariffs. The bloc already has a hit list targeting €93 billion worth of US goods that date back to last year's first round in Trump's tariff war. The EU tariffs on distinctively American products like Levi's jeans, Harley David- son motorcycles and Kentucky bourbon, were frozen for six months in August 2025 in an attempt to reach some form of compromise. This tariff regime should be triggered immediately. But the EU must also keep on the table all other available options to hit back, including the so-called trade 'bazooka'. This represents the biggest weapon in the EU's arsenal. The Anti-Coercion Instrument is an all-purpose tool meant to deter other countries from using trade tactics to extort concessions in oth- er areas. Brussels will be able to impose or increase customs duties, restrict exports or imports through quotas or licenses, and impose restrictions on trade in services. It also can curb access to public procurement, for- eign direct investment, intellectual property rights and access to the bloc's financial markets. The EU has other options on the table that could potentially hurt America where it interests Trump the most—its pocket. Europeans must stop believing they are dealing with an ally when they speak to Trump. He has prov- en to be an unreliable partner and one who has con- sistently shown disdain towards Europe and what it stands for. Indeed, Trump's foreign policy strategy proposes direct US intervention in European politics to support political parties that adhere to his agenda. When EU member state leaders meet in Brus- sels on Thursday, they must speak with one voice. They must stand together in solidarity with Den- mark, Greenland and other countries that have been slapped with retaliatory tariffs. But EU leaders must also agree on a series of concrete steps to counter Trump's bullying. Without shutting the door to diplomacy, the EU must tighten the screws and apply its own economic pressure on the US. After all, it's the only language Trump can understand. The EU must be clear that any compromise or deal will come with conditions, including respect for Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty. There are areas of common interest between the EU and the US when it comes to Greenland, the Arc- tic and the new waterways opening up as a result of global warming. If the US president is concerned about security in the Arctic, the solution is discussing greater presence and activity by NATO allies. The US already has a military base in Greenland and it can easily scale up its presence there in collaboration with Denmark and other NATO members. There is no need for the US to takeover Greenland. If the US president's interest is in the rare min- eral deposits found in Greenland, that is an inter- est mutually shared with the EU. Joint exploration and exploitation of these minerals can be possible if the parties sit together around a table and hammer out the details. Any such agreement must include Greenlanders as primary stakeholders—they should benefit from the deposits on their land. But while EU leaders must remain open to compro- mise, they should do so from a position of strength. Trump cannot and must not be allowed to get what he wants simply because he wills it. It is only after adopting a tough stand, followed by concrete action that the EU can entertain the idea of negotiating a deal with Trump over Greenland that is mutually beneficial and respects the autonomy and wishes of Greenlanders. EU leaders must be tough. It's the language Trump knows maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: KURT SANSONE EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt 11 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JANUARY 2026 EDITORIAL