EU lawmakers push to halt US trade agreement amid Greenland dispute
In a letter addressed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the Conference of Presidents, the lawmakers called on the parliament to suspend consideration of the agreement “for as long as claims for Greenland and threats are made by the US administration.”
The letter referenced Trump and members of his administration expressing intentions to “take over” Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, characterizing these statements as a threat to the international rules-based order.
“Threats and undermining of the international rules-based order and threats of territorial expansion should never be accepted and will surely only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain world,” the lawmakers said.
They added: “What would be even worse than simply remaining silent in the face of the shocking US statements, would be to be seen to reward it. Yet that is what might very well happen, if we do not act now.”
The trade agreement, negotiated last summer between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump, involves adjustments to customs duties and the opening of tariff quotas for certain US goods. It is scheduled for plenary approval in February.
The letter warned: “If we go through and approve a deal that Trump has seen as a personal victory, while he makes claims for Greenland and refuses to rule out any manner in which to achieve this, it will be easily seen as rewarding him and his actions.”
In addition to calling for a freeze, the lawmakers urged the European Parliament to clearly signal to the European Commission, the EU Council, and Washington that agreements will not be pursued with a partner that threatens the territorial integrity of EU members.
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