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"There must be a European response"/ German Foreign Minister speaks out on Trump's new tariffs

2026-01-19 07:44:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"There must be a European response"/ German Foreign Minister speaks

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has underlined the need for a European response to new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

In a television interview, he simultaneously expressed serious doubts about whether the ratification and implementation of the existing trade agreement between the European Union and the United States is now feasible. 

Wadephul noted that the existing EU-US trade agreement has not yet been ratified, although the relevant process was expected to be completed next week in the European Parliament.

"Many believe that tariffs are always the wrong answer. Well, the existing trade agreement has not been ratified. At this point, I can't imagine how that could happen ," he said.

Referring to Donald Trump's announcements to impose tariffs on countries that sent soldiers to Greenland, the German Foreign Minister made it clear that Europe cannot remain inactive.

"If the US absolutely wants further economic measures, there must be a European response ," he stressed, adding that the time has come for an open discussion within the Alliance about the limits and options for response.

Wadephul explained that the Greenland issue is about, on the one hand, continuing to secure the Arctic, but on the other hand, it is absolutely clear that Danish sovereignty and Greenland's independence remain non-negotiable.

"The future of Greenland is decided by the people of Greenland and any territorial issue concerns Denmark. We Europeans stand in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland ," he stressed.

Finally, the German minister categorically rejected any scenario of a breakup of the NATO alliance, assuring that the United States continues to fully support the Alliance and European defense.

"There is absolutely no doubt that the US fully supports NATO and the defense of Europe. In Europe, we should not discuss such issues, but work together for a strong alliance ," he concluded. /CNA





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