It pays to read The Times letters to the editor. This is something I've learned over the years because a lot of really clever and sensible people write to The Times. A lot of their letters don't get published but the ones that get through the vetting procedure are often very good and in this instance we have three interesting and I would argue good suggestions for how Europe can respond to Donald Trump's Greenland tariffs namely a 10% uplift to the tariff currently applied to the UK and Europe on first February and a further 25% uplift in June if European countries don't comply with his request to own Greenland.
The first suggestion comes from Professor Costas Milas of the University of Liverpool. He suggests that European countries should withdraw their national football teams from this summer's FIFA World Cup which is being held mainly in the United States. It's believed that it will bring $9.6 billion to the US economy and it would be an enormous embarrassment to Trump and the American government if this upcoming World Cup was so catastrophically damaged by mass withdrawal of European teams. That may force Trump's hand. He may become more reasonable. At the moment Trump is being highly unreasonable and his demands are simply untenable. No European country would agree to allow him to simply move into Greenland and own the island to plunder minerals which I believe is his main purpose and for personal financial gain as well I would argue.
The second suggestion comes from Colin Kennedy from Suffolk in the UK. He argues that "Europe should respond graciously and politely to the US president by stating that the leases on all US military facilities in Europe will attract a similar tariff to the one he is imposing from February 1. If payment is not forthcoming then the US should be asked to vacate all such facilities without exception.
Finally, the third suggestion comes from Simon Brown KC living in Stevington, Bedfordshire, UK. He writes this:
"We have a powerful response available. President Trump has interests in Scotland that are close to his heart: Turnberry golf club and Trump International near Aberdeen. Sequestration and nationalisation of them by the Scottish government would deter him and would be for the public benefit and well-being.
The last suggestion would certainly hurt Trump personally. He is very fond of Scotland. We know he is addicted to golf notwithstanding the fact that he cheats and lies about his accomplishments on the golf course. That's his style. His lying is transparent when it comes to golf and his golf swing isn't that great either.
This last suggestion is very personal which I think is appropriate because he often makes things very personal. When he talks about world leaders he discusses whether they are a nice person or not. He speaks of their character. I think this is inappropriate because discussions between world leaders are about achievements not about personal characteristics. It's about doing business pragmatically and sensibly. It's inappropriate to talk about the person's character and whether you like them or not.
In any case, Trump needs to be pushed hard. Europe must stand up and show courage and a backbone. Starmer was weak before Trump in the past. He was obsequious towards him. He was a poodle towards the president and now the president is jerking Starmer around like a lapdog on a lead. Starmer asked for that. We must stand up and do the right thing and if the consequences are uncomfortable then so be it.
At the end of the day, Trump respects strong characters (look at how he talks about Vladimir Putin for instance) and is therefore more likely to listen to them and come to an agreement with strong characters.
Europeans have been heavily criticised by J.D. Vance for being weak and instigating sloppy policies. Let's see Europeans including the UK stop being weak. Let's see them beat Donald Trump at his own game.
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