Resolve within the bloc is growing to hit back against Trump, with the Parliament also formally freezing on Wednesday the ratification of the EU-U.S. trade deal that was struck last summer.
“Europe must speak the language Trump understands. We are ready to move forward with the ACI. I would have preferred a decision today, but I hope for a strong and united statement on Monday. We don’t have time to waste,” said Swedish MEP Karin Karlsbro of the liberal Renew group.
Jörgen Warborn, the European People’s Party top trade MEP, took a more cautious line, reflecting the party’s transatlantic leanings. “It’s too early to say” if he will agree to ask Commission to launch the ACI, Warborn told reporters.
Further, Warborn told POLITICO: “We now need to coordinate further and discuss which options we have in case of further actions. Nothing is off the table.”
EU leaders are toughening their position and want the European Commission to ready its trade “bazooka,” with Germany joining France in saying it will ask the Commission to explore unleashing the tool at an emergency meeting of leaders on Thursday unless Trump walks back on his threats, POLITICO reported on Tuesday.
The trade weapon, which can be deployed at the request of any affected party, including the European Parliament, is one of the EU’s main levers against the U.S.: It includes a wide range of possible measures such as imposing tariffs, restricting exports of strategic goods, or excluding U.S. companies from tenders. A decision to use the instrument would not be taken lightly because it would have a significant impact on the EU economy.
This story has been updated.