BRUSSELS — European Union leaders are set to review their relationship with the United States at an emergency summit on Thursday, following a week of volatility sparked by US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs and possible military action over Greenland.
Trump abruptly reversed course on Wednesday, ruling out military action and halting proposed tariffs on eight European nations. He also suggested that a framework deal was in the works to settle the dispute over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trump’s apparent retreat, EU officials remain cautious. “We should not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership,” Merz said, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy amid an unpredictable US administration.
Diplomats warn that Trump’s mercurial style and prior threats have exposed the EU’s vulnerability, both militarily and economically. “Trump crossed the Rubicon. He might do it again,” one official told reporters. “There is no going back to what it was. Leaders will discuss how to stay resilient while maintaining cooperation with the US.”
EU’s Dependence on the US Remains a Key Challenge
The EU’s reliance on the United States for defense under NATO, particularly in areas such as intelligence, transport, and missile defense, has long given Washington considerable leverage. The US also remains the EU’s largest trading partner, leaving the bloc susceptible to tariffs or coercive trade measures.
“We need to discuss where the red lines are and how to deal with this bully across the Atlantic,” another EU diplomat said. “Trump says no tariffs today, but does that mean none tomorrow? We have to plan for the next move.”
Before Trump’s reversal, the EU had been considering a €93 billion ($108.7 billion) retaliatory tariff package against US imports, including anti-coercive measures, though such action would have hit both European and American economies.
Greenland Deal and Arctic Security
Few details of the proposed Greenland deal have been released. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that the framework reached with Trump would involve increased Western presence in the Arctic, while further talks between Denmark, Greenland, and the US were still underway.
“While Thursday’s emergency talks may lose some urgency, the longer-term question remains: how should Europe handle relations with the US under this unpredictable leadership?” one diplomat said.
Officials stressed that the EU’s approach has been a combination of solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, de-escalation, and careful planning for future resilience. “It’s not just about Greenland. It’s about strengthening the internal market, boosting competitiveness, and ending tolerance for tariff bullying,” a third diplomat noted.
The summit in Brussels will focus on evaluating transatlantic ties and building a long-term strategy for engaging with the US, preparing Europe for both cooperation and potential confrontation under Trump and any future administrations.
