European Parliament puts approval of trade agreement on hold after Trump announces tariffs
Trump announced tariffs on Saturday against eight countries that are sending troops to Greenland, a démarche that is being strongly condemned within the European Union. The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot called the outburst “incomprehensible” and “unnecessarily hostile.” “These discussions among allies are being met with laughter in Russia and China; they are probably watching this with a bucket of popcorn,” he said.
The announcement is also being met with astonishment in the European Parliament. The three “pro-European” groups in the European Parliament (EPP, S&D and Renew) have meanwhile announced that they will temporarily put the approval of the trade agreement between the EU and the US on hold.
“The EPP is in favor of the trade agreement, but given Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland, approval is not possible at this time,” wrote the chairman of the largest group in Parliament, Manfred Weber, on Saturday on X. “The zero tariffs on American products must be suspended.”
Renew chair Valérie Hayer and the social democratic vice-chair of the Committee on International Trade Kathleen Van Brempt also delivered that message. Both groups are furthermore calling for the use of the anti-coercion instrument against the United States. “Because if this is not coercion, then what is? Europe must now really take the initiative, together with like-minded partners worldwide, for a broader international coalition as a counter-movement,” said the Belgian Van Brempt.
According to his entourage, French President Emannuel Macron would also like to call for the activation of the anti-coercion instrument.
(Brussels, 18 January 2026)
