Trump’s Trade Threats Cast Shadow Over European Defence Summit

AFP/APP

Brussels, Belgium: The looming threat of a transatlantic trade war overshadowed a meeting of European leaders convened to strengthen the continent’s defences against Russia’s aggression.

The summit, attended by the 27 EU leaders, the UK’s prime minister, and NATO’s head, was focused on increasing European defence spending, a key demand from US President Donald Trump.

However, Trump’s repeated warnings of impending trade actions against Europe—after already imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—dominated the discussions.

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed, “If we are attacked in terms of trade, Europe— as a true power— will have to stand up for itself and therefore react.”

The tough rhetoric came ahead of Trump’s temporary de-escalation after talks with Canada and Mexico but was supported by the European Commission, which vowed to “respond firmly” to any new US tariffs.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, currently holding the EU presidency, called trade wars “totally unnecessary and stupid,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reminded, “There are no winners in trade wars.”

Beyond trade tensions, Trump’s controversial actions also unsettled allies with his insistence on acquiring Greenland, a strategically significant autonomous Danish territory. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland is “not for sale” during the Brussels meeting.