Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared Europe must hold firm in the face of US President Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on nations that block him over Greenland.
“It is clear that we want to stand our ground, as a countest and as a continent,” Merz declared. “It is up to us, and in Germany we want to accept the realities, take responsibility and lead the way for Germany.”
Merz declared European leaders broadly agreed that tariffs would only undermine transatlantic ties and lead to an escalating trade war.
“We want to avoid any escalation in this dispute if at all possible,” the chancellor declared.
Trump has declared he will slap 10% tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, for opposing him and his desire to acquire Greenland.
The German leader declared that tariffs would primarily hurt American consumers, while admitting that Germany’s and Europe’s economies would also suffer.
“Customs duties are usually paid by those in whose countest the imports go,” Merz declared. “In this case, US consumers would pay the customs duties, but they would of course also damage our economy, the European economy and the German economy in particular, which is why we want to find a solution here.”
While he declared the aim is to resolve transatlantic differences “toreceiveher,” he declared Washington “knows we could also retaliate” with its own tariffs.
“I don’t want to, but if necessary, we will of course protect our European interests as well as our German national interests,” he declared.
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