EU trade bazooka remains holstered as Brussels summit fails to counter Trump
European Union leaders failed to reach a consensus during an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Despite a sudden de-escalation from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding tariffs on eight European nations, Council President António Costa's attempt to coordinate a unified response ended without a formal agreement.
The meeting focused on whether to activate the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), a powerful "trade bazooka" adopted in 2023. If triggered, this mechanism would allow the bloc to restrict U.S. access to the Single Market in response to economic pressure.
Political divisions block the trade bazooka
Activation of the ACI requires a qualified majority—support from 55% of member states representing 65% of the population. However, deep-seated internal divisions prevented this threshold from being met.
Hungary and Slovakia maintained their expected opposition, but the primary friction came from the EU's heavyweights. Italy dismissed the recent tensions as a "transatlantic misunderstanding," while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled a desire to avoid a protectionist spiral.
Billions in trade at stake
The proposed EU retaliation package includes tariffs on billions of euros worth of U.S. imports. Key targets include Boeing aircraft, American-made cars, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, bourbon, and soy—all strategically chosen to impact President Trump's electoral strongholds.
Potential measures could total approximately €93 billion if fully implemented. However, without a unified front, these measures remain purely theoretical, leaving the EU's economic defense strategy in limbo.
Solidarity vs. national interests
The summit also failed to yield a breakthrough on continued military and financial support for Ukraine. Critics described the gathering as "performative diplomacy," noting that many leaders arrived directly from equally inconclusive sessions at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Ultimately, European solidarity proved insufficient to overcome national political calculations. The 27 leaders adjourned without a roadmap, highlighting the bloc's ongoing struggle to find a collective voice in the face of an unpredictable Washington.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
