By Micah Jonah
January 21, 2026
The European Union will respond firmly if the United States goes ahead with new tariff measures against European countries, Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheal Martin has said, warning that such actions could trigger serious global economic tensions.
Martin said Europe would not hesitate to protect its economic interests if Washington follows through on threats linked to growing geopolitical disputes, including tensions surrounding Greenland and broader transatlantic relations.
He said the speed at which the situation is developing is a major concern, stressed that any new tariffs imposed on European allies would be met with retaliation from the EU, a move that could further strain already fragile global trade conditions.
While the European Union has a legal mechanism known as the Anti Coercion Instrument, designed to respond to economic pressure from foreign powers, Martin said it was too early to activate such measures. However, he noted that the option remains available if trade disputes escalate.
European leaders are currently prioritizing diplomatic engagement to prevent a full trade confrontation with the United States, with officials emphasizing the need for dialogue rather than immediate countermeasures.
Analysts say a tariff war between major Western allies could have ripple effects on developing economies. Any disruption in global supply chains could further increase prices of industrial goods, food products, energy related equipment across African markets.
As talks continue between Washington and European capitals, international observers say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevent another round of global trade disruptions at a time when many countries are still grappling with economic recovery and rising living costs.
