Overview
- President Trump set staged duties on eight European countries at 10% from February 1 and 25% from June 1, saying they will last until a U.S. purchase of Greenland is agreed.
- EU ambassadors held crisis talks in Brussels, and Council President António Costa scheduled a leaders’ summit this week to shape a joint response, after the eight targeted nations issued a statement condemning the tariff threats.
- Officials are weighing activation of the EU’s Anti‑Coercion Instrument and a previously prepared package of roughly €93 billion in counter‑tariffs that could automatically take effect on February 6 if the suspension is not extended.
- European Parliament leaders put ratification of last year’s US‑EU trade deal on hold, signaling that planned EU tariff concessions for U.S. goods will not proceed under current conditions.
- Diplomatic outreach is intensifying, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaking to Trump and in‑person discussions expected at Davos this week, while Italy has offered to help mediate.