The EU greets Trump's reversal with skepticism: "We remain vigilant"

BrusselsGood news, but nothing to get too excited about. European leaders are breathing a sigh of relief. Donald Trump's about-faceThey celebrate the fact that he has withdrawn the threat to invade Greenland and raise tariffs on European Union member states. However, the humiliations and aggressions of the US president against the European bloc in recent days have left a deep wound. This could be a turning point. The vast majority of European leaders insist that they do not want to break transatlantic relations, but they admit that they have changed and share the desire to prepare for the new international order.

The EU heads of state and government, meeting this Thursday in Brussels, welcomed the de-escalation between the US and European powers. But they know that it is by no means a definitive solution and that instability and uncertainty reign in the White House. It is impossible to know when Trump might make another about-face and once again attack Europe. "I'm glad the week ended better than it began: without threats of invasion and new tariffs. But we remain vigilant," summarized French President Emmanuel Macron.

Even historically more pro-Atlantic European partners are issuing a warning to Trump. Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk, for example, have reaffirmed the close relations with the United States and advocated for safeguarding them, although they have also leveled veiled criticism at the New York tycoon. "We must understand the difference between leading and dominating. [...] We need trust and respect," the Polish Prime Minister reminded him.

The German Chancellor was much more accommodating toward Trump in statements to the press before entering the European meeting. "I am very grateful that President Trump has distanced himself from his original plans to take control of Greenland, and I am also grateful that he refrained from imposing additional tariffs on February 1," he said. Earlier in the day, however, speaking from the Davos Forum, Merz also drew the line at the White House, warning that the EU would respond "firmly, unitedly, and proportionally" to any further threats from Trump, both in terms of trade and the sovereignty of its allies.

Merz's warning to Trump is similar to the one issued by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, before the US president announced the agreement and backed down from imposing new tariffs on member states. In fact, sources within the European Council indicate that the tools to respond to a potential new attack from the White House remain on the table.

One of the main options that European leaders will discuss, and which they could potentially implement, is the reinstatement of tariffs on approximately €93 billion worth of US goods, which were frozen when a trade agreement was reached with the US. The other option—more forceful and generating more reluctance among European partners—is the activation of the anti-coercion instrument, also known as legal bazookaThis is a mechanism that allows for restricting imports or exports, excluding certain countries from participating in public tenders, or suspending international obligations regarding intellectual property, which would particularly affect large US technology companies.

Meloni, the most accommodating to Trump

One of the first leaders to react positively to the agreement announced by Trump and Rutte was Giorgia Meloni. "As Italy has always maintained, it is essential to continue promoting dialogue between allied nations," the Italian Prime Minister told X. In fact, the far-right leader was one of the leaders who consistently refused to respond forcefully to Trump's threats, as advocated by France and Germany, among other countries. Several international media outlets even suggested that the Italian government initially refused to activate the planned countermeasures, such as tariffs or the legal bazooka.

Despite Meloni's lukewarm response, several European leaders agree that the increased rhetoric and unity among European leaders against Trump is what has stopped him. "A united Europe has forced the United States to back down and hold talks with Denmark about increasing its military presence" in Greenland, emphasized Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who insisted that the EU "cannot allow itself to be blackmailed by any country," including the US.

However, relations between the European Union and the United States are not the same as they were a week ago. It seems the worst is over and that, at least for now, Trump will not send troops to invade Greenland or start a new trade war with his main trading partner. However, as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, pointed out, the transatlantic relationship has suffered "a severe blow." "Trust between the EU and the US has been damaged," the Swedish leader concluded.