Leaders of the European Union (EU) member states convened an urgent summit in Brussels on the evening of January 22, following threats from US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on several European countries.
The summit was called after Trump decided on January 21 to abandon the planned tariffs, following an agreement reached in Davos, Switzerland, on the framework for a Greenland deal during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
EU leaders initially planned to discuss a coordinated response to the potential US tariffs, and the summit is expected to address strategies for responding to future transatlantic challenges posed by Trump.
European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that the discussion would focus on transatlantic relations, the impact on the EU, and coordination of next steps.
In parallel, the European Parliament suspended the ratification of the trade agreement with the United States on January 21 amid tensions over Greenland.
According to diplomats, the EU aims to ensure that trade relations remain stable, predictable, and secure, while also preparing for rapid countermeasures if these conditions are not met.
The Greenland issue is expected to dominate discussions, with EU leaders seeking further information from Denmark. The Danish government has stated it is willing to discuss Arctic security, but insists on respecting territorial integrity.
The summit will also address the EU’s position on the new US-led Peace Board, which aims to oversee peace plans in conflict zones such as Gaza. While the European Commission initially welcomed the idea, the EU is analyzing legal and constitutional constraints before deciding on participation. Some member states are concerned that the Board includes Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandar Lukashenko, making unanimous support within the EU impossible.
