Brussels: The European Union is strategizing countermeasures against US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs linked to Greenland. Ambassadors from EU member states have reportedly reached a consensus on ways to avert the imposition of tariffs by the US, which are threatened if the EU continues to oppose Trump's intended territorial control over Greenland. In case diplomatic efforts fail, the EU is ready to implement retaliatory measures.

According to Thai News Agency, the EU ambassadors convened for an emergency meeting in Brussels, Belgium, where they laid out plans to counteract Trump's tariff threat. EU leaders are set for another emergency meeting on January 22 to deliberate on responses to Trump's announcement, made on January 17, of a 10% tariff set to commence on February 1. This tariff targets eight European countries-namely, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway-that have stationed troops in Greenland. The tariff is planned to escalate to 25% by June 1 if an agreement is not reached for the US to acquire Greenland completely.

The EU's initial countermeasure could involve tariffs on US imports amounting to £93 billion, equivalent to about 3.4 trillion baht, which would automatically activate after a six-month delay on February 6. Another potential strategy is the deployment of an anti-coercion instrument (ACI), a measure the EU has not previously utilized. This instrument would limit US participation in sectors such as government tenders, investment, banking, and trade in services, areas where the US maintains a trade surplus with the EU.

The EU might leverage the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19-23 to engage with the US on this issue. President Trump is anticipated to deliver a keynote address at the forum on January 21, marking his first attendance in six years, which could serve as an opportunity for dialogue.