"The strategy of appeasement is over" - European Parliament hints at selling US debt assets 0 8

Europe must "play hardball" in response to US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European countries and his rhetoric about acquiring Greenland, said MEP and chair of the Renew Europe parliamentary group in the Euronews morning show "Europe Today":

"We must act stronger than we have so far. We must acknowledge that the strategy of appeasement is over and that now we must play hardball because Trump only understands the language of strength."

Trump threatens to impose 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries, which directly contradicts the trade deal between the EU and the US signed in Scotland last summer. According to Trump, tariffs could rise to 25% if an agreement to purchase Greenland by the United States is not reached.

Aye is confident that Europe must respond by demonstrating its own economic leverage.

"We can decide on new tariffs. We can decide to sell American debt securities. Did you know that the American debt is over $1 trillion?"

Aye advocates for the use of the "EU Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI), which is informally referred to as the "trade bazooka": it would completely shut American companies out of the single European market.

According to Valérie Aye, all European politicians must take a more aggressive stance: "We have remained calm from the very first day of communication with Donald Trump. And we must acknowledge that this is not working."