Seoul Fights Back Against New US AI Chip Tariffs

France is preparing to request that the European Union deploy its most powerful economic defense mechanism after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs tied to his demand to purchase Greenland.

President Emmanuel Macron, who has already branded the tariff threat "unacceptable," will formally ask the EU to activate its anti-coercion instrument (ACI), according to a person familiar with the decision.

The move comes in response to a U.S. plan to impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries, including France, starting February 1. In a social media post, President Trump threatened to raise the levy to 25% in June unless a "Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."

In response to the announcement, EU national ambassadors are set to meet on Sunday to determine the bloc's next steps.

What is the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument?

The ACI is the European Union's most formidable retaliatory trade tool. While it has never been used, the instrument was designed primarily as a deterrent to counter coercive economic actions from other countries. It specifically targets situations where trade is used to pressure the policy choices of the EU or its member states.

If triggered, the EU could enact a range of countermeasures, including:

• Imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.

• Introducing new taxes on tech companies.

• Placing targeted curbs on U.S. investment in the EU.

• Restricting access to certain segments of the EU market.

• Barring firms from bidding for public contracts in Europe.

New Tariffs Threaten Existing EU-US Trade Deal

According to the person familiar with President Macron's thinking, Trump's tariff plan directly challenges the validity of the trade deal reached between the EU and the U.S. last year.

That agreement has been partially implemented but still requires final approval from parliament. With the new tensions over Greenland, that approval process is now likely to be halted.

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Saturday, signaling a push to deepen bilateral ties around a major nuclear energy project and shared geopolitical views.

The meeting highlights Slovakia's strategy of strengthening its relationship with Washington, even as its policies often diverge from the European Union's mainstream positions. The discussions covered international issues, with a strong focus on the war in Ukraine and future energy security.

A €15 Billion Nuclear Partnership Takes Center Stage

A central topic of the meeting was a planned €15 billion ($17.4 billion) nuclear project in Slovakia. The talks followed the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on nuclear energy cooperation on Friday, which sets the stage for formal negotiations with Westinghouse Electric Co.

Slovakia intends to build a state-owned 1,200 MW reactor. Prime Minister Fico indicated that the contract could be awarded to Westinghouse as soon as next year, with the project slated for completion around 2040.

"Both countries fully recognize that serious energy challenges cannot be solved through wind turbines or photovoltaics," Fico stated in a video message. "The cornerstone for the future is the rapid development of nuclear energy."

Aligning on Ukraine and Criticizing the EU

Fico, 61, confirmed that he and Trump discussed the war in Ukraine, where he reiterated Slovakia's call for a peaceful resolution. "Diplomacy and mutual listening must take precedence over military solutions," Fico said.

This stance reflects a broader alignment between the two leaders. The four-time prime minister, who survived a 2024 assassination attempt, frequently employs Trump-like rhetoric that prioritizes national interests over established alliances. His nationalist views, despite his left-wing domestic platform, earned him an invitation to the conservative CPAC conference in the U.S. last year.

Like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fico is a vocal critic of several core EU policies, including:

• Military aid to Ukraine

• Ambitious climate targets

• The bloc's migration policy

Fico's "Slovakia First" Foreign Policy

Fico has actively sought to strengthen economic ties with Moscow and Beijing. Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin multiple times. In 2023, his government halted Slovakia's military assistance to Kyiv, arguing it was "unnecessarily prolonging the war."

While describing the invasion as a violation of international law, Fico has also claimed that Moscow was provoked by the West. He has expressed support for an early peace deal, even if it requires Ukraine to make territorial concessions.

Economic Interests and Energy Dependence

The meeting also touched on economic matters rooted in past trade disputes. Fico has previously lobbied Trump to lower U.S. tariffs on European cars, which have severely impacted Slovakia's auto-dependent economy. According to a UniCredit Bank analysis, Slovak car exports to the U.S.—once the second-largest market—have been cut in half since the tariffs were introduced.

On energy, Trump has consistently pushed European nations to reduce their reliance on Russian supplies. However, he previously approved a temporary exemption for Hungary and Slovakia, two landlocked countries bordering Ukraine that are heavily dependent on Russian energy.

China's exports of rare earth materials edged lower in December, as markets monitored rising geopolitical friction between Beijing and Japan that could foreshadow tighter shipment controls on the critical minerals.

December Export Figures Show Minor Contraction

According to customs data released on Sunday, China's total outbound shipments of rare earths reached 6,745 tonnes in December. This marks a decrease from the 6,958 tonnes exported in November.

These materials are indispensable components in a wide range of modern technologies, including electric vehicles, advanced weapons systems, and high-tech manufacturing. A significant portion of these exports consists of rare-earth magnets, a product that provides Beijing with powerful leverage in global trade disputes.

Japan Becomes New Focus of Export Controls

In recent years, the rare earths supply chain has become a major geopolitical flashpoint, with the United States and other nations actively working to reduce their dependence on China's dominance in mining and processing.

While a trade truce between Beijing and Washington in October eased some of those tensions, the focus has now shifted to Japan. China's Ministry of Commerce recently announced new controls on shipments to Japan that have potential military applications. This move followed remarks made last year by Japan's prime minister concerning Taiwan.

Adding to the pressure, Beijing is also reportedly considering stricter scrutiny of licenses for shipping these minerals to Japan, according to a report from the China Daily.

Awaiting a Clearer Picture

The export data released on Sunday represents a total figure for all destinations and does not offer a breakdown by individual country or specific product type. More detailed data, which could provide greater insight into trade flows with specific partners, is expected to be released on Tuesday.

The European Union has called an emergency meeting of its ambassadors in Brussels this Sunday following President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on eight EU nations. The move is designed to pressure Denmark into a deal for the United States to acquire Greenland.

A representative for Cyprus, the current holder of the EU Council presidency, confirmed the urgent meeting to NBC News. Trump's declaration on Saturday triggered immediate and sharp criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic, who largely rejected both the tariff threats and the goal of taking control of Danish territory.

Top European Officials Condemn Pressure Tactics

European leaders swiftly pushed back against the tariff announcement, framing it as a damaging move against key allies.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, questioned the strategy of targeting NATO partners. Writing on X, the Maltese official stated that actions against allies would not improve security in the Arctic. Instead, she warned, they could embolden shared adversaries seeking to undermine common values. Metsola reiterated that both Greenland and Denmark have made their positions clear: the territory is not for sale, and its sovereignty will be respected, regardless of tariff intimidation.

Kaja Kallas, an Estonian vice president of the European Commission and the EU's chief diplomat, argued that China and Russia would be the only beneficiaries of Trump's decision. She noted that these countries celebrate when divisions appear among allied nations. Kallas suggested that NATO is the appropriate venue for any security discussions concerning Greenland and cautioned that the proposed tariffs would harm economies and reduce prosperity in both Europe and America. She also urged that such disagreements should not distract from the crucial mission of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The tariff threat has also put a major EU-US trade agreement at risk. Several European officials have signaled a desire to block the final ratification of a trade deal negotiated last summer. While parts of the agreement are already in effect, it requires approval from the European Parliament to become fully binding.

Bernd Lange, the long-serving chair of the parliament's international trade committee, called the new tariffs unacceptable. The German official posted on X that the approach violates how partners should treat one another. Accusing Trump of weaponizing trade for political leverage, Lange insisted that the EU cannot conduct business as usual under these conditions and demanded that all progress on the trade deal be halted until the US withdraws its threats.

Bipartisan US Lawmakers Reject Tariffs on Allies

The reaction in Washington was similarly critical, with American legislators from both parties voicing their opposition to Trump's plan.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), who co-chair the Senate NATO Observer Group, issued a joint statement from Copenhagen. They were there with a bipartisan congressional delegation meeting Danish officials to strengthen ties amid Trump's ongoing comments about Greenland.

The senators warned that with many Americans already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would only increase expenses for households and businesses. They urged the administration to abandon the threats and seek a diplomatic solution instead. Their statement underscored that the targeted nations are among America's most steadfast allies:

• United Kingdom

• France

• Germany

• Netherlands

• Finland

• Sweden

• Denmark

• Norway

They reminded the administration that these NATO partners have fought alongside American troops, suffered shared casualties, and contributed to US security and economic prosperity.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced Saturday that Democrats would introduce legislation to block the tariffs before they could further damage the American economy and its European partnerships. Schumer criticized Trump's existing tariffs for raising prices and argued that the new actions would compound those errors by targeting close allies over an "unrealistic" attempt to acquire Greenland.

While the Senate has previously passed similar bipartisan measures to limit Trump's tariff authority with a simple 51-vote majority, any new legislation would still face uncertain prospects in the House.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has issued a stark warning, stating that any U.S. military action to take Greenland would delight Russian President Vladimir Putin and fatally undermine the NATO alliance.

In a recent interview with the La Vanguardia newspaper, Sanchez argued that such a move would provide justification for Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

"If we focus on Greenland, I have to say that a U.S. invasion of that territory would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world," Sanchez said. "Why? Because it would legitimize his attempted invasion of Ukraine."

He added that the consequences for Western security would be dire. "If the United States were to use force, it would be the death knell for NATO. Putin would be doubly happy."

Trump Threatens Tariffs to Force Sale

The comments follow former U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed push to acquire the autonomous Danish territory. On Saturday, Trump appeared to shift his strategy, vowing to impose escalating tariffs on key European allies until a deal to purchase Greenland is reached.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump detailed a plan for new import duties starting February 1. The plan includes:

• An additional 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Great Britain.

• An increase of these tariffs to 25% on June 1.

Trump stated these tariffs would continue until the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland. He has consistently maintained that he will accept nothing less than full U.S. ownership of the island.

However, leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly dismissed the idea, insisting the island is not for sale and has no desire to become part of the United States.

The Trump administration is floating a proposal for a new international body, the "Board of Peace," asking countries to contribute at least US$1 billion for a permanent position on its board, according to a draft charter.

Under the plan, Donald Trump would serve as the group's first chairman, holding the power to select its members.

The draft charter explicitly links long-term membership to a significant financial commitment. "The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year," the document states. For all other members, the term would be capped at three years, subject to the chairman's renewal.

Unprecedented Power for the Chairman

The proposed structure concentrates considerable authority in the hands of the chairman. According to the draft, the chairman would have final say over all matters, including:

• Decision-Making: While decisions would be made by a majority vote of members present, all outcomes are "subject to the chairman's approval."

• Membership Control: The chairman decides who is invited to join and has the power to remove a member, a move that could only be vetoed by a two-thirds majority.

• Agenda Setting: The chairman convenes all meetings and must approve the agenda.

• Succession: The charter specifies that "the Chairman shall at all times designate a successor for the role of Chairman."

Trump would also be responsible for approving the organization's official seal. The board would become operational once three member states agree to its charter.

A Potential Rival to the United Nations?

The charter describes the board's mission as promoting stability, restoring lawful governance, and securing peace in conflict-affected regions. However, the proposal is sparking concern that it is designed to be an alternative, or even a rival, to the United Nations, an institution Trump has frequently criticized.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the plan.

International Pushback and Concerns

A specific initiative under this new umbrella, a "Board of Peace for Gaza," has already drawn a sharp rebuke. Trump invited several world leaders to join this group, including Argentina's Javier Milei and Canada's Mark Carney. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly criticized the plan, stating that the details were not coordinated with his government.

Several European nations have also been invited to join the main peace board, according to sources familiar with the discussions. These individuals, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the draft suggests Trump himself would control the funds—a condition most countries would find unacceptable. They added that multiple nations strongly oppose the charter and are organizing a collective pushback against the proposals.

First Steps: The Executive Panel

Ahead of the board's formal creation, the White House announced an initial executive panel on Friday. This panel includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.