France to request activating EU anti-coercion instrument to deter US tariff threats: Report

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron will urge the European Union to activate its Anti-Coercion Instrument to deter US President Donald Trump following his tariff threats against eight European nations for opposing acquisition of Greenland, a report said.

Macron's entourage told broadcaster BFMTV on Sunday that the president will ask, on behalf of France, for the activation of EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), also known as trade "bazooka" to deter Washington.

ACI is primarily a deterrent mechanism requiring approval by a qualified majority of member states and allowing the bloc to impose measures such as restricting access to public procurement or blocking certain investments.

Trump has repeatedly said that the US must acquire Greenland for national security and to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory.

Denmark and Greenland have rejected proposals to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.

Trump said on Saturday that Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland from Feb. 1, which will rise to 25% in June until there's a deal for "for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland." European leaders have vowed a coordinated response.

He criticized the recent European deployment of military personnel to Greenland, saying: "These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question."