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Berlin: Decides with European Partners on Response to Trump Over Tariffs

Published January 17, 2026, 20:10
Berlin: Decides with European Partners on Response to Trump Over Tariffs

The German government reacted cautiously to US President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on European countries that have sent troops to Greenland, including Germany. The government stated that it would coordinate with its European partners to decide on appropriate responses. The leader of the Greens, Katrin Dürre, called on Europe not to back down and to respond with reciprocal tariffs to Trump's threats, while criticizing Chancellor Merz's policy of appeasement. The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, argued that Trump's statements demonstrate Europe's weakness and the need to strengthen cooperation with China and other countries to resist pressure.