Faced with potential US tariffs on EU goods, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has vowed a strong counter-response.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stern warning on Monday: The European Union will be compelled to retaliate forcefully if the United States imposes tariffs on EU exports.
US President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against the EU unless it significantly reduces its trade deficit by substantially increasing purchases of American oil and gas. Trump reiterated this threat on Friday, stating his intention to levy tariffs, asserting the EU has engaged in unfair trade practices. However, specifics regarding targeted goods and tariff rates remain undisclosed.
Speaking to reporters before an informal EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels, Frederiksen cautioned that Trump’s tariff threats risk igniting a trade war.
“I oppose a trade war; I favor cooperation. However, intense American pressure on the European market leaves us no option but a firm response,” she declared.
“Regrettably, we must retaliate robustly” to US tariffs, Frederiksen added, without specifying the countermeasures. She acknowledged, however, that the EU’s response would inevitably “impact ordinary citizens.”
“This will affect workers and businesses in the US, Europe, Canada, and elsewhere,” she added.
Frederiksen’s sentiment echoed among her EU counterparts. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that if the bloc is “economically attacked,” it “must defend itself and react accordingly.” Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden advocated for “reciprocal action” in response to tariffs, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged the bloc to prevent “unnecessary and unwise tariff wars.”
Trump has already implemented some previous tariff threats. Last week, he announced a 25% tariff on all Mexican imports and most Canadian goods, plus a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, effective February 4. He justified these measures by accusing the three countries of failing to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Canada has retaliated with a 25% levy on US goods and threatened further action. Mexico also signaled retaliatory tariffs, while China intends to challenge Trump’s tariffs through the World Trade Organization.