Source: Global Times

【Global Times report, reporter: Su Yanqi】According to the UK's Guardian and AFP, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on the 20th at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the US proposal to impose tariffs on some European countries over the Greenland issue is "a mistake." "Agreements are agreements, whether in politics or business," she said.

The report cited von der Leyen's words, saying, "This is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-term allies. The EU and the US reached a trade agreement in July last year. Whether in politics or business, agreements are agreements. When friends shake hands, it must mean something."

On January 20, von der Leyen responded to the US proposal to impose tariffs on some European countries over the Greenland issue at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Source of the photo: screenshot from the UK's Guardian video.

US President Trump posted on social media this month, announcing that the US will impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1. The tariff rate will be increased to 25% from June 1 until the relevant parties reach an agreement on the US's "comprehensive and thorough purchase of Greenland." On the 19th, Trump said that if no agreement is reached on the issue of the US obtaining Greenland, he would "certainly" impose tariffs on some European countries.

In response to Trump's attempt to seize Greenland and the threat of tax increases, the EU and several European countries responded on the 19th with both softness and firmness, stating their readiness to "use tools" to protect their interests. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, wrote on a social platform that Europe has no intention of provoking a dispute with the US, but will adhere to its own position and be ready to use a range of tools to protect its interests. Borrell said that Arctic security can be discussed with the US through dialogue, but "tariff threats are not the solution." Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson said that due to Trump's completely unreasonable demands, Europe now faces an unprecedented situation of "turmoil and instability." She said that European countries generally believe that a strong and severe response is needed, "we cannot politely stand there, nodding and bowing in submission."

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597408506494108203/

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