EU leaders ponder the ‘cruel paradox’ of a US ally threatening tariffs and a possible land grab

[rangerrebew]

EU leaders ponder the ‘cruel paradox’ of a US ally threatening tariffs and a possible land grab
By  LORNE COOK
Updated 10:12 AM EST, February 3, 2025
 
BRUSSELS (AP) — After three years spent trying to deter Russia from destroying Ukraine, European Union leaders grappled on Monday with possible responses to a major ally who appears determined to start a trade war or perhaps even seize part of their territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that it would “be a cruel paradox, if during the time of this direct Russian threat and Chinese expansion ” that the EU and the United States might end up in a “conflict among allies.”

Since taking office in the White House last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports and refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Trump has also mystified the Europeans by showing little sign of how he intends to end the war in Ukraine within six months as promised, let alone in a day, as he boasted during the election campaign last year.

https://apnews.com/article/eu-us-ukraine-defense-trump-greenland-tariffs-c3e454c8f0959d273c2b6dd5941395e3

[rangerrebew]

The EU had become too familiar with the US and have proven the old saw: "familiarity breeds contempt."  Biden threw out any respect they may have had for the US.  Europe has become a colony of mice that roar, expecting to be protected by the US, that bad-mouth our policies, and use our intelligence networks to protect them from Russia.  Without the US covering their a**es, they are dead and show their appreciation by treating us like dirt.

[Hoodat]

Speaking of land grabs, what is their position on Russia?