By chatnewstv.com
STRASBOURG, France — European Council President António Costa delivered a defiant report to the European Parliament on Wednesday, asserting that the European Union is prepared to deploy its full economic and legal “tools” to counter foreign coercion, specifically addressing rising tensions with the United States.
Speaking to a plenary session in Strasbourg, Costa announced he has convened an emergency summit of EU leaders for Thursday to coordinate a response to what he described as a direct challenge to the international rules-based order.
The emergency meeting follows recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential “purchase” of Greenland and threats to impose steep tariffs on European nations—including Denmark, France, and Germany—unless the U.S. secures control over the mineral-rich island.
“We stand ready to defend ourselves, our member states, our citizens, our companies, against any form of coercion,” Costa said. “And the European Union has the power and the tools to do so.”
Unity Over Greenland
Costa underscored that the 27-member bloc is united in its support for Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory. “Only they, Denmark and Greenland, can decide on their future,” he stated, adding that further U.S. tariffs would be “incompatible” with existing EU-US trade agreements.
The Council President framed the standoff as a test of the “Europe of Principles,” emphasizing that alliances cannot be treated as a “sequence of transactions.”
Condolences for Spain
The President opened his address by expressing “most sincere condolences” for the victims of recent railway disasters in Spain. His comments follow a catastrophic head-on collision between high-speed trains near Adamuz, Córdoba, on Jan. 18, which killed at least 42 people.
“My deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones,” Costa said. “Europe stands with the Spanish people.”
Historic Support for Ukraine
Turning to security, Costa highlighted the EU’s December decision to approve a landmark €90 billion common European loan to cover Ukraine’s financial needs through 2027.
The loan features a unique repayment structure: Ukraine will only begin paying it back once Russia pays war reparations. Until then, the EU reserves the right to use interest from immobilized Russian assets to service the debt.
“On Ukraine, we committed and we delivered,” Costa told MEPs. “Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security.”
Economic Pivot to Mercosur
As a counterweight to transatlantic trade friction, Costa touted the signing of the historic EU-Mercosur Treaty last weekend as a “decisive geopolitical” victory. The deal creates the world’s largest free trade zone, reaching a market of 700 million consumers across 31 countries.
“Instead of tariffs, the European Union offers partnerships,” Costa said, contrasting the EU’s approach with Washington’s recent protectionist rhetoric. “Instead of spheres of influence, we are creating spheres of shared prosperity.”
Costa concluded by calling for a “Europe of Prosperity,” announcing a strategic brainstorming session for Feb. 12 to discuss deepening the Single Market and strengthening European digital sovereignty against “tech oligarchs.”
