So I learned that Trump decided to put 10% tariffs on several European countries (tariffs that will be upgraded to 25%) until such time when Greenland will be acquired by the US -- again, as always with tariffs imposed by the US, Americans will pay, not Europeans (there's a reason why Ronald Reagan stated in his days that tariffs were a supremely bad idea when wrongly applied, and there's a reason why Europe didn't respond more aggressively to Trump's tariffs last year, but the guy is too busy being an idiot to wonder why).

I'm not going to list all the reactions of every European countries leaders but here are some:

Quote from: Emmanuel Macron, President of the French RepublicFrance is committed to the sovereignty and independence of Nations, in Europe as elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our attachment to the United Nations and our charter.

It is on this basis that we supported and continue to support Ukraine and that we have built a coalition of the willing for a robust and lasting peace, to defend this principle and our security.

It is also on this basis that we decided to join the exercise decided by Denmark in Greenland. We stand by this decision, especially as it concerns security in the Arctic and at the frontier of our Europe.

No intimidation or threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

Tariffs threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed. We will know how to uphold European sovereignty.

It is in this spirit that I will speak with our Europeans partners.

Remember when I evoked the EU "trade bazooka" in my previous post? Well, the EU has the finger on the trigger now.

Quote from: Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United KingdomOur position on Greenland is very clear. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.

We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should do more together to address the threat of Russia across different parts of the Arctic.

Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.

Quote from: Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of SwedenWe will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out. Sweden is now having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom for a coordinated response.

Again the shadow of the EU "trade bazooka" that Trump probably doesn't even know exist, nor its purpose.

Quote from: Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of FinlandAmong allies issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure.

Strengthening Arctic security with allies is very important for Finland. this is also the purpose of the Danish-led and allied-coordinated action in Greenland. European countries stand united. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland.

Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationships and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

Far more dangerous for the US, than for Europe. Also a hidden reference to the "trade bazooka".

And of course we have the Greenlanders themselves who have already stated their choice:

Quote from: Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Prime Minister of GreenlandGreenland will not be owned by the United States. Greenland will not be governed by the United States. Greenland will not be part of the United States. We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Now we are faced with a geopolitical crisis and if we have to choose between the USA and Denmark here and now, we will choose Denmark. We choose NATO, we choose the Kingdom of Denmark, we choose the EU. This is not the time for internal discussions and division. It is the time to stand together and to build on the community we know and what we want.

Is that message so hard to understand? Is that too much work for the few remaining neurons in Trump's brain? You know this thing called "sexual harassment"? Well it works that way (at least in France): first time you ask, it's fine, you're free to try. But if the person says "no", every time you come back after that, with the same question, is harassment. Apparently, Trump knows a lot about harassment -- I'm not even surprised -- because he has been at it with Greenland for months now, despite repeated "NO", and he's being more aggressive as time goes by... What should we call that? Political harassment?

Keep in mind that all those responses to Trump and the US administration are diplomatic in nature. They have the varnish of gentlemen diplomacy. However, the sub-tone, the one that is unspoken, can clearly be grasped by anyone reading between the lines. Europe is truly, unanimously fed up with the orange gorilla agitating in his cage and Europeans are not amused any longer.

Meanwhile, a little bird told me that the top brass in the US military are trying to make Trump stand down about Greenland because the military knows the score. They know that if Trump goes too far it may be the end of the alliance, and no one in the top echelons of the US military is stupid enough to want that. But according to a General "It's like trying to manage a stubborn 5 years old!"

An additional quote from the French representative of the party "Renew Europe" to the European Parliament (which is the entity that will design the EU economic response, should the threat from Donald proceed):

Quote from: Valérie HayerThe threats of US president Donald Trump to impose increased custom duties on states refusing to agree with his plan to annex Greenland are unacceptable.

These announcements follow many other aggressive actions toward the EU. Therefore it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence.

Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal.

Furthermore, the EU should be prepared to deploy proportionate and targeted countermeasures. The activation of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument should be explicitly considered as it was designed precisely for situations of economic intimidation of that nature.

The EUACI or Anti-Coercion Instrument is the official name for the "trade bazooka".