President of Cyprus: EU Council Meeting Possible Over Trump's Tariffs

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, announced the convening of an emergency meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels to discuss the imposition of new tariffs by the United States on EU countries. He did not rule out the possibility of convening a European Council meeting in the coming days to achieve a common approach and reaction to the issue. This move comes in response to former President Trump's threat to impose tariffs of up to 25% on products from countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, linking the removal of tariffs to the sale of Greenland to the United States. Trump threatened tariffs that would increase to 25% from June 1, 2026, until an agreement is reached for the sale of Greenland. The announcement has raised concerns within the European Union, as the tariffs could have significant economic consequences. President Christodoulides stressed the need for a coordinated response from the EU side in order to effectively address the situation. The convening of the European Council will allow the heads of state or government to discuss the issue at a high level and decide on appropriate action. The imposition of tariffs by the United States is a serious issue for European economies, as it could lead to trade wars and slow down economic growth. The EU is expected to consider all possible options, including recourse to the World Trade Organization.