European Industry Slams Trump's 'Ludicrous' Greenland Demands, Threatening Trade War
The European industry has rejected US President Donald Trump's "ludicrous" demands to hand over Greenland or face a trade war, warning that tariffs imposed by the US would come at a significant cost to German and European businesses.
Trump's shock threat on Saturday to impose additional tariffs of 10% in February with a further 25% in June has derailed a period of relative transatlantic trade calm after the EU-US agreement struck last July. The move has sparked an emergency summit in Brussels, where leaders will discuss the prospect of imposing counter-tariffs on US exports.
Industry leaders are urging the EU to take a strong stance against Trump's demands, warning that backing down would embolden him to make further "ludicrous" claims and threaten even higher tariffs. Hildegard Müller, president of the German auto industry association VDA, said that additional tariffs would be "enormous" for German and European industry, especially in challenging times.
"This is a clear example of Trump's unpredictable nature," said Bertram Kawlath, president of the German engineering association VDMA. "If the EU gives in here, it will only encourage him to make the next ludicrous demand and threaten further tariffs."
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) has also criticized Trump for linking economic sanctions to political ambitions, describing it as "unacceptable".
Manufacturers are scrambling to work out how to respond to the tariffs, with some companies racing to get more products into the US before the levies. However, industry leaders are warning that there is limited time to act, and some are predicting a significant impact on businesses.
The UK automotive industry has also been affected by Trump's announcement, with one executive warning that the short deadline meant there was only limited time to rush cars into the US before the levies.
"We're reaching for the same golf bag and pulling out the same clubs again," said an executive at a large carmaker. "It's wait and see mode given the lack of formal direction on how tariffs will be implemented – or whether they are a merely an opening negotiating tactic."
The impact of Trump's tariffs is already being felt in some parts of the industry, with companies like Penderyn Welsh whisky maker warning that costs would add up quickly.
"It's just not going to work," said Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn. "People will disappear from the market and just hold fire until conditions get better."
The Trades Union Congress has also warned of the devastating impact of Trump's tariffs on British manufacturing sectors and jobs.
"That's why [the British] government must continue to prioritise a closer trading relationship with the EU," said Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC. "It's common sense in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable global economy that we forge stronger ties with our closest neighbours and largest trading partner."
The European industry has rejected US President Donald Trump's "ludicrous" demands to hand over Greenland or face a trade war, warning that tariffs imposed by the US would come at a significant cost to German and European businesses.
Trump's shock threat on Saturday to impose additional tariffs of 10% in February with a further 25% in June has derailed a period of relative transatlantic trade calm after the EU-US agreement struck last July. The move has sparked an emergency summit in Brussels, where leaders will discuss the prospect of imposing counter-tariffs on US exports.
Industry leaders are urging the EU to take a strong stance against Trump's demands, warning that backing down would embolden him to make further "ludicrous" claims and threaten even higher tariffs. Hildegard Müller, president of the German auto industry association VDA, said that additional tariffs would be "enormous" for German and European industry, especially in challenging times.
"This is a clear example of Trump's unpredictable nature," said Bertram Kawlath, president of the German engineering association VDMA. "If the EU gives in here, it will only encourage him to make the next ludicrous demand and threaten further tariffs."
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) has also criticized Trump for linking economic sanctions to political ambitions, describing it as "unacceptable".
Manufacturers are scrambling to work out how to respond to the tariffs, with some companies racing to get more products into the US before the levies. However, industry leaders are warning that there is limited time to act, and some are predicting a significant impact on businesses.
The UK automotive industry has also been affected by Trump's announcement, with one executive warning that the short deadline meant there was only limited time to rush cars into the US before the levies.
"We're reaching for the same golf bag and pulling out the same clubs again," said an executive at a large carmaker. "It's wait and see mode given the lack of formal direction on how tariffs will be implemented – or whether they are a merely an opening negotiating tactic."
The impact of Trump's tariffs is already being felt in some parts of the industry, with companies like Penderyn Welsh whisky maker warning that costs would add up quickly.
"It's just not going to work," said Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn. "People will disappear from the market and just hold fire until conditions get better."
The Trades Union Congress has also warned of the devastating impact of Trump's tariffs on British manufacturing sectors and jobs.
"That's why [the British] government must continue to prioritise a closer trading relationship with the EU," said Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC. "It's common sense in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable global economy that we forge stronger ties with our closest neighbours and largest trading partner."
i mean, greenland or bust, right? and now eu is getting all heated about it too... 
tariffs this, trade war that... it's like, guys calm down! let's not escalate things here. what's next? are we gonna start trading in emojis instead of goods 
? seriously though, gotta wonder if trumps got some kinda master plan or just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks 
... I mean, they're completely reasonable 
. The EU should just hand over Greenland and be done with it 
... no, wait, that's not it 
. The EU should totally stand firm against Trump's demands 
... but only if it means the US would impose even higher tariffs on European goods 
.
... I mean, who needs cooperation and diplomacy when you can just impose tariffs and watch the other side scramble? 
But at the same time, manufacturers are right to be worried about the impact on their businesses 
... maybe we should just prepare for the worst and hope everything works out in the end 
.
... but at the same time, he's also really bad at reading room 
. The EU should take his threats seriously and not try to negotiate with someone who might just pull the rug out from under them 
!
like seriously what even is the point of that? it's not like they're gonna let him just waltz in and start making demands. and now europe is all like "hey nope we're not having it" and they're threatening a trade war 
. german car makers are especially worried, like they already can't keep up with the us market as it is. what's next? tariffs on our favorite british whisky too?! 
. Greenland? come on! it's like he thinks eu and usa are still playing nice or something 
. germany is already feeling the heat with all these tariffs and now trump wants to jack up the game even more? no way, joe! eu needs to stand firm and tell trump where his money is 
. if they back down, what's next? gonna start demanding alaska too? 
come on, trump! get some perspective 
.
. Like, what's the point of even having Greenland? It's not like it's a major source of economic growth or anything 
gotta act fast or risk losing sales 
.
. What's next, is he going to demand the moon? 
Manufacturers are already scrambling to prepare for tariffs and I'm sure it'll be a nightmare 
. And what about the poor people who work in those factories? They're just going to get caught in the crossfire 
. Newsflash, Donald: we don't take kindly to being bullied 
.
.
. What if the EU just gives in because they don't want another trade war brewing 
. I guess what I'm trying to say is we should keep an open mind and maybe think outside the box (or tariff)