Bei den Beratungen auf dem EU-Sondergipfel über die Reaktion auf den offenen Erpressungsversuch des US-Präsidenten dürfte die Aktivierung eines EU-Instruments zur Abwehr wirtschaftlicher Nötigung diskutiert werden – dieses wird auch als „Handels-Bazooka“ bezeichnet. Frankreichs Präsident Emmanuel Macron werde beantragen, das sogenannte Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) zu nutzen, hieß es aus dem Umfeld des Präsidenten. Das Gesetz ermöglicht der EU Gegenmaßnahmen, wenn wirtschaftlicher Druck ausgeübt wird, um politische Entscheidungen zu erzwingen.
Archiv: booting Trump
What is the EU‘s anti-coercion instrument, and how does it work?
The ACI allows the EU to shut off access to the European single market representing 500 million consumers. It limits trade licenses and access to public procurement tenders. For American services, it means the European market would be off the table.
France to request activating EU anti-coercion instrument to deter US tariff threats: Report
Macron‘s entourage told broadcaster BFMTV on Sunday that the president will ask, on behalf of France, for the activation of EU‘s Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), also known as trade „bazooka“ to deter Washington.
ACI is primarily a deterrent mechanism requiring approval by a qualified majority of member states and allowing the bloc to impose measures such as restricting access to public procurement or blocking certain investments.
‚Trump United Nations‘: Netanyahu invited to join Board of Peace
Washington reportedly mulls expanding Trump’s Board of Peace beyond Gaza to Ukraine and Venezuela;
Trump wants nations to pay $1bn to join Gaza ‚Board of Peace‘: report
A draft charter for the group, seen by Bloomberg, establishes Trump as its inaugural chairman, who would have a veto over membership.
The document stipulates that states‘ membership will be limited to three years, unless they “contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force“, guaranteeing them permanent membership.
The charter opens by stressing the need for „a more nimble and effective international peace-building body“, adding that lasting peace requires „the courage to depart from … institutions that have too often failed“.
The language has prompted concerns that Trump is seeking to build a rival to the United Nations.
Trump says 8 European countries will face 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face the tariff, Trump said in a social media post while at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The rate would climb to 25% on June 1 if no deal was in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, he said.
Demos in mehreren Städten: Tausende Dänen protestieren gegen Trumps Grönland-Pläne
Tausende Dänen haben in Kopenhagen gegen die von US-Präsident Donald Trump erhobenen Besitzansprüche auf Grönland protestiert. Sie versammelten sich vor dem Rathaus der dänischen Hauptstadt, schwenkten dänische und grönländische Fahnen und riefen „Kalaallit Nunaat!“ – den Namen Grönlands in der Muttersprache.
Auch in anderen dänischen Städten sowie in der grönländischen Hauptstadt Nuuk finden Proteste statt.
Protesters rally in Denmark and Greenland against Trump annexation threat
In Greenland‘s capital Nuuk, thousands led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen carried flags and similar banners as they headed for the U.S. consulate chanting „Kalaallit Nunaat“ – the island‘s name in Greenlandic.
“I’ve come here today because I think it’s important to show that Greenland is not for sale. It is not a toy. This is our home,” said Naja Holm, a civil servant.
BREAKING NEWS: Protestors Hold ‚Hands Off Greenland‘ Demonstration In Copenhagen, Denmark
During a protest on Saturday, Danish Politician Julie Rademacher, who is also a Greenlander, spoke about President Trump‘s attempts to take over Greenland.
Europe must now tell Trump that enough is enough – and cut all ties with the US
So what can Europe do, as this mad historic fantasy comes closer to reality? How do you maintain a space of democracy and the rule of law in a world that is rapidly reverting to imperialism, oligarchy and the rule of power alone? Only by building a protective moat of federalism around it.
If the US actually attacks Denmark by invading Greenland, and declares war on the EU, a treaty-bound defensive alliance, the hand of history will be forced. Europe would need to both expand and restructure to become a defence and intelligence union that absorbs Nato’s non-EU members.
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And if the US doesn’t attack Denmark, Europe’s best chance of surviving as a free and open continent in an imperial world is still to force the rupture with the US, force the consequences, and force the federalism anyway.
Judge Restricts Immigration Agents’ Actions Toward Minnesota Protesters
Judge Kate M. Menendez ordered agents not to retaliate against people “engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity,” and not to use pepper spray or other “crowd dispersal tools” in retaliation for protected speech. The judge also said agents could not stop or detain protesters in vehicles who were not “forcibly obstructing or interfering with” agents.
The ruling, which granted a preliminary injunction, stems from a lawsuit brought by activists who said agents had violated their rights. The suit was filed before an immigration agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
Governor Walz Statement on Reports of Alleged Department of Justice Investigation
January 17, 2026
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today released the following statement after reports of an alleged investigation by the Department of Justice.
“Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic.
“The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
The office of the Governor has not received any notice of the investigation.
The Governor has repeatedly, unequivocally, called for peace and a lowering of the temperature. He has made that appeal directly to the President.
Federal forces have stormed the state, shooting two people and killing Renee Good. The Department of Justice drove six federal prosecutors – including the longtime career prosecutor leading the charge to investigate and eliminate fraud in our state’s programs – to quit their jobs rather than go along with this assault on the United States Constitution. Leaders of the Republican Party have called for impeachment, for the Governor to be put in cuffs, for a day of retribution.
We trust Minnesotans to see past this projection.
Justice Department opens investigation into Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor
Walz, in a post on X, did not explicitly address the news reports, but said: „Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.“
The killing of Renee Macklin Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer last week became a flashpoint for the simmering opposition to federal agents operating within the state.
Minnesota, Twin Cities sue Trump administration to halt federal immigration surge
January 12, 2026)
Minnesota and the Twin Cities are suing the Trump administration to stop its latest immigration enforcement surge, alleging that the increased federal actions are unconstitutional and a violation of federal law.
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Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a ruling by a federal judge in Chicago that bars the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois.
Trump threatens to use military over Minnesota anti-ICE protests
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces in Minnesota after days of angry protests over a surge in immigration agents on the streets of Minneapolis.
Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act to end protests in Minneapolis
Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law, to deploy the U.S. military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, over the objections of state governors.
Senator Coons to lead bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Copenhagen
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will lead a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Copenhagen, Denmark this week to highlight more than 200 years of friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, including enduring national security ties and decades of economic cooperation. The delegation will be in Copenhagen Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17.
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Senator Coons will be joined on the trip by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), and Sarah McBride (D-Del.). Additional members are expected to join the delegation as well.
Rep. Jimmy Gomez Introduces Bill to Block Any U.S. Effort to Invade, Annex or Purchase Greenland
(January 13, 2026)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) introduced the Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit federal funds from facilitating the invasion, annexation, or any other form of acquisition of Greenland by the United States.
The bill comes amid President Donald Trump suggesting the United States could seek to assert control over Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark and a home to more than 50,000 people.
Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Prevent Trump Administration from Threatening NATO Unity
(January 13, 2026)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to prohibit the use of U.S. Department of Defense or Department of State funds to blockade, occupy, annex or otherwise assert control over the sovereign territory of a NATO member state without that ally’s consent or authorization from the North Atlantic Council, and to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to NATO unity and collective security.
Bipartisan group of lawmakers introduces bill to prevent military action against NATO members
(January 12, 2026)
In a letter to colleagues obtained by POLITICO, Keating told lawmakers “this legislation takes a clear stand against such action and further supports NATO allies and partners.”
Although the legislation doesn’t name any specific countries, it’s a clear reference to Trump’s threats against Greenland. The omission was deliberate, said Keating, who wanted to broaden the legislation’s focus. He said he met with the Danish Ambassador and the head of Greenland representation as the legislation came together.
“This isn’t just about Greenland. This is about our security,” Keating said.
The Battle for Greenland Is Now Being Fought in Congress
Two competing proposals for Greenland have been introduced in the US House of Representatives—one giving Trump the authority to annex the island, the other explicitly forbidding it.
Scoop: Trump‘s envoy secretly met Iran‘s exiled crown prince
White House envoy Steve Witkoff met secretly over the weekend with the exiled former crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, to discuss the protests raging in Iran, according to a senior U.S. official.
„Hilfe ist auf dem Weg“: Trump ruft indirekt zu Umsturz im Iran auf
Trump schrieb in Großbuchstaben auch, dass Hilfe „auf dem Weg“ sei. Was er damit meinte, blieb unbeantwortet. Wegen der schweren Gewalt gegen Demonstrierende hatte Trump der iranischen Führung bereits zuvor mit militärischen Mitteln gedroht. Die USA nähmen die Lage im Iran sehr ernst, so Trump am Sonntag. „Das Militär befasst sich damit, und wir prüfen einige sehr drastische Optionen. Wir werden eine Entscheidung treffen.“
Iran’s FM says protests became ‘bloody’ to give Trump intervention excuse
He said Trump’s warning of military action against Tehran should protests turn violent motivated “terrorists” to target protesters and security forces to invite foreign intervention. “We are ready for war but also for dialogue,” he added.
Araghchi also said Iran has footage of weapons being distributed to protesters, adding authorities will soon release confessions of detainees.
Cuba’s president says no current talks with the US following Trump’s threats
Díaz-Canel wrote that for “relations between the U.S. and Cuba to progress, they must be based on international law rather than hostility, threats, and economic coercion.”
He added: “We have always been willing to hold a serious and responsible dialogue with the various US governments, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International Law, and mutual benefit without interference in internal affairs and with full respect for our independence.”
Cuban leader says ‘no one dictates what we do’ as Trump tells regime to make a deal
Díaz-Canel was quick to reject external interference in Cuba’s affairs.
“Cuba does not aggress; it is aggressed upon by the United States for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood,” said Díaz-Canel.
In an apparent reference to Trump, he said those who turn everything into a business, “even human lives,” have no moral authority to point fingers at his country.
Trump weighs potential military intervention in Iran
A number of different agencies have been involved in helping prepare options for the president, officials said. More formal briefings are expected in the coming week, including on Tuesday, when Trump is expected to convene senior national security officials to discuss how to proceed.
Tehran will treat US military and commercial bases as targets for retaliation if Washington intervenes militarily in unrest-hit Iran, its hardline parliamentary speaker has warned.
“If the US takes military action towards Iran or the occupied territories, the US military and shipping centers will be considered legitimate targets,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said.
With Cuban ally Maduro ousted, Trump warns Havana to make a ‘deal’ before it’s too late
Trump said on social media that Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, “BUT NOT ANYMORE!”
“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” Trump said in the post as he spent the weekend at his home in southern Florida. “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.” He did not explain what kind of deal.