this post was submitted on 17 Jan 2026
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Emmanuel Macron has hit back at Donald Trump’s latest threats to impose tariffs on any country opposing his Greenland takeover, warning that “no amount of intimidation” will persuade European nations to change their course on Greenland.

He was echoed by the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, who warned the EU would not be “blackmailed” by the US president, who on Saturday announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries from 1 February, with a further 25% tariff from 1 June.

In a joint statement, EU leaders said “tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.

It is highly likely that the European parliament will halt ratification of last summer’s trade deal with the US after Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s party, the largest voting bloc in the institute, said they would have to pause the legal rubber stamping process.

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[–] letraset@feddit.dk 122 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Not my own but I liked how this seems to be the logic operating between Trump and his peers:

"Tax the americans, until the europeans comply."

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 51 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It makes sense when you understand that this is class war. The working class is being choked in both the US and Europe all while fueling nationalism within each.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 24 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (15 children)

Seems to me you are making a major false equivalence there.

In what way is the working class being choked in EU?
Unlike USA EU countries have a right to unionize, we have actual democracies and EU also have livable minimum wages despite some EU countries being only a fourth as wealthy as USA.
Also nationalism in Europe is very different than in USA, as EU has 27 countries, it's not like EU will suddenly become one maniac nationalist/fascist nation with a giant army that can oppress the entire EU population like can happen in USA.

EU is not perfect, except when compared to USA or China, then it kind of is.

[–] I_Jedi@lemmy.today 13 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I hear the working class in the EU is having troubles with inflation and housing.

[–] Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (4 children)

Here in the UK it's pretty fucked. I earn a fairly low wage, and I live in a van because housing is so expensive. I could just about afford to pay rent, but I couldn't afford much else. The van thing isn't ideal - I'm in my 50s, hot summers and cold winters are challenging - but this is the only way I can afford to be able to do stuff and even save a bit.

[–] Potatar@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

UK is not in EU.

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[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Inflation is an aftermath of Covid, Covid was a major economic challenge everywhere, but people are still paid livable wages in EU unlike in USA.
There is always struggle for workers to get their fair share, difference is that in EU this struggle is on a much more even playing field than it is in USA, and AFAIK anywhere else in the world.

There is no class war in either USA or EU, there isn't in USA because Americans aren't fighting for their rights.
And there isn't in EU because workers did fight for it, and we have won the necessary rights that prevent us from getting choked.
There is of course always debate on how the money of society as a whole should be shared. And in EU workers actually have significant political power in that debate, where in USA they don't.

So apart from a livable wage, we have for instance free healthcare and education, something many Americans dream of.
Romania is among the poorer EU countries, but they have the highest home ownership in EU.
So at least I think I can say with good certainty that we don't have an EU wide housing crisis.
With major infra structure variables like housing there will always "trouble" show me a country that is completely without problems regarding housing.

In EU the situation today is certainly way better than it was back in the 70's in most countries, where in USA it's the exact opposite.

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I don't think you understand what "class war" means. (1) One class can be fighting it while the other class is not. See Americans for an example.

(2) There is no "end" to class war when the working class "gets a living wage". The capitalist class will always chip away at your wage and social programs. They are doing that now in Europe.

You don't understand what I was even referring to when talking about class conflict. Here is a test: do you think "class" is dependent on how much money you make? If the answer is "yes, a Doctor is clearly of a different class than a janitor" then you have no idea what I'm talking about.

The way you talk about it makes me think you are just misunderstanding what I was talking about at a fundamental level.

I'm talking about class in the Marxist sense.

[–] DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com 2 points 2 months ago

Oh yeah? But do you have the highest incarcerated levels? You probably don't even have school shootings.

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[–] MoffKalast@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

The worldwide class difference is a problem when the market is open to everyone, so investment grade assets like real estate are priced on a foreign billionaire level everywhere. Our local labour laws are pretty decent, and we have really good wage equality overall but the rest of you are dragging us down frankly. Since you mentioned them, China had the right idea to impose severe restrictions around that type of "investing" and we should probably follow their example to some degree. One way to fight absurd wealth accumulation is to make it impossible to buy anything with it.

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[–] Don_alForno@feddit.org 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

In what way is the working class being choked in EU?

The same neoliberals are in power in Europe, and the same redistribution of wealth from below to the top happens in Europe. All over Europe they tell us we have to work more, earn less, our social services are too expensive, and "what are you talking about, rich people should pay taxes, are you insane?"

If you truly believe the working class is not being choked in Europe you've got to open your eyes. They are just a bit more subtle about it over here.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

they tell us

Is that what it boils down to? AFAIK you are free to vote for someone who doesn't say that.
Yes there have been problems, first Covid, then Russia invading Ukraine disrupting oil and gas supplies plus demanding higher defense expenses, and then Trump winning the presidency on USA putting tariffs on EU.

All these are outside factors that have had an impact, but apart from that the general trend in EU is absolutely to improve conditions for the population, which has far from been the case in USA.
Yes they warn that times are bit tighter now than they should have been, but that's reality and not because we are being choked by our own.
I agree the rich need to be taxed more, and the distribution of wealth is unfair, but at least in EU we have a fighting chance, where in USA they have basically given up on fundamental rights like free healthcare and a living wage.

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[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

You do realize that tariffs do impact the nation being tariffed as well right? They don't pay the tax directly, but it does make it harder to sell goods in your nation due to an inflated price.

[–] letraset@feddit.dk 3 points 2 months ago

I do understand that yes, but the tariff itself is placed on the consumer end.

Import tariffs raise the cost of imported goods. For many goods this reduces import volumes and lowers sales for exporters (the tariff's intended effect). For goods without substitutes, imports continue, and firms often (depending on price elasticity, and competition) pass the higher input cost on to consumers as higher downstream prices rather than absorbing it.

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[–] Greyghoster@aussie.zone 34 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It is interesting that the pedophile defender says only he can defend Greenland but he is a lame duck president and won’t be there in 3 years. Could easily be dead by then too.

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 30 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you think the fascist will roll over and allow a peaceful transfer of power in 3 years then you have not been paying attention.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Exactly, and it's not just Trump, it's the entire White house administration. J. D. Vance is just as bat shit crazy as Trump is, and Stephen Miller is even worse.

[–] cutemarshmallow@europe.pub 4 points 2 months ago

Even worse, they're smarter than him.

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[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

Far be it from me to defend a Trump in any way, but the American desire to control Greenland does pre-date his presidency by a good stretch and it will still be a fond wish of the Department of War after he is gone. Trump is in this one personally because he thinks it will be a jewel of his legacy to add territory to the country. And he is always up for confrontational harassment of Europe and brandishing his sword as CIC. But Greenland specifically was put on his agenda by others in security defense circles. There is a case for it, and that case isn’t old and tired, it’s getting stronger as ice melts.

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Dude, there is a case in American history for doing genocide of natives too. What is your "defense" of Trump here? Like, I don't disagree with you that American Imperialism is not unique to Trump - but you seem to be saying this makes it justified? Maybe I'm reading your comment wrong though.

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[–] favoredponcho@lemmy.zip 32 points 2 months ago (6 children)

Why doesn’t Europe do psyops on Americans like Russia? Christ, as we’ve seen America is very easily manipulated.

[–] GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Europe doesn't have a unified intelligence services or anything similar, yet.

They're planning to establish a joint cyber operations unit to retaliate against Russia.

Once the unit is established, they could and should use it against rogue fascist countries like the FSA (Fascist States of America)

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-thinks-the-unthinkable-retaliating-against-russia-nato-cyber-hybrid/

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[–] Vinylraupe@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

We go straight at it. A thing i personally despise very much is this all secret behind the back stuff with misinformation and whatnot.

Personally i think we would do our enemies a favor if we punch their teeth in since the brain gets more oxygen that way and they may come to their senses.

Cringe keyboardwarrior i know but thats my opinion.

Coming from a country where im not even sure we have a secret service.(maybe its just that good 🧐)

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[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Why doesn’t Europe do psyops on Americans like Russia?

What makes you think they don't?

[–] favoredponcho@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 months ago

If they are it’s not working

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[–] GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world 31 points 2 months ago

I think the orange turd bluffed himself into a corner.

First he threatened to take Greenland by force if necessary. Europe didn't back down and responded by sending troops to Greenland to prepare for possible conflict.

The pedo realised this bluff didn't work. So now he's threatening with tariffs again.

Military conflict would have had much worse consequences for both sides than the tariffs. So why would anyone back down for 10% tariffs?

And if anyone learned anything about tariffs in the FSA (Fascist States of America) from 2025 is that they hurt American people just as much, if not more.

Americans don't want Greenland and they don't want higher prices.

Let's see how smart the orange turd is.

[–] realitista@lemmus.org 21 points 2 months ago

The best time to stand up to Trump was when he first started making threats to the EU. The second best time is now. It's time to stand up and if Trump doesn't TACO, we in the EU can start selling his treasuries and putting tarrifs on US cloud providers.

[–] GreenShimada@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago (2 children)

FACT: TACO

Do whatever you want, France. Trump will chicken out. Nothing else is as for sure other than that.

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 20 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

TACO is for things that could hurt the stock market or the the profits of capital. It literally comes from Wall Street traders.

TACO is not for Trump being reckless and cruel. He bombed Iran, he bombed fishing boats, he kidnapped a leader of a sovereign country, he has built concentration camps and is sending his SS troops door to door.

You best hope enough wealthy capitalist convince him not to invade Greenland. Because that's the only reason he won't. Don't expect fascist to not take easy "wins" of cruelty to show power when they can.

Fascist only back down when their capitalist owners tell them to OR when there is a chance they could be resisted and seen as weak.

[–] GreenShimada@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

It started on Wall Street, but they simply picked up on the trend because it's an industry of people looking at trends and patterns all day to place bets.

He chickens out on all sorts of policy things when he doesn't delegate it to ghouls that feed on the cruelty. He keeps acting like he's going to be tough on the EU, and then folds.

However, to your point, wealthy capitalists are the ones that convinced him to invade in the first place. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/15/ronald-lauder-billionaire-donor-donald-trump-ukraine-greenland https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinadilicosa/2026/01/09/these-billionaires-bet-big-on-greenland-after-trump-took-interest/

And IIRC one of those Peter Thiel Network State charter city crypto fiefdoms as well was sniffing around Greenland.

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[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I don't know, ~~he~~ they seems to be more willing to escalate on treaty allies than anyone else.

[–] GreenShimada@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

A bully always beats on his friends before ever considering a real challenger.

[–] richardwallass@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Let's keep all the champagne in EU

[–] jj4211@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

And the USA gets real pain.

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[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Well...umm...we'll retaliate by making it so champagne not produced in the Champagne region of France can still be labeled as "champagne!" T_T

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[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

It helps that Donald Trump is not intimidating.

[–] Bunbury@feddit.nl 12 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I don’t know… I find it quite intimidating that there’s a bunch of power in the hands of a psychopath with dementia and emotional self-regulation abilities worse than the average toddler.

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[–] kali_fornication@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

shouldn't there be an easy fix to this madness? just give trump a bright shiny trophy and tell him he earned it all by himself, like a big boy

[–] Valthorn@feddit.nu 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)
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[–] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 months ago

Kick all US personnel out of Greenland.

[–] anon_8675309@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

They should be on the phone with congress. Just do an end around Trump.

[–] HollowHawk@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Well my guess is, EU and Trump will come to an agreement: EU will spend $$$$ to protect Greenland and US Companies will get resources on Greenland anyway.

[–] originaltnavn@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 months ago (3 children)

So the current status from before all this? Hope you are right, would be good for all of us.

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[–] Jaberw0cky@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I honestly don’t see why the EU and UK don’t cut off the USA entirely in response. Cancel all flights, cancel all visas. Cut the internet connection, allow no cargo to dock or undock, block all financial transactions. How hard can it be, if they want to be a pariah fine, it’s no great loss.

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[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think the only response to Trump's threat is a demand that he explain himself in order to allow trade to resume.

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