"How to deal with Donald Trump?"/ Details emerge from discussions at the EU summit in Brussels

2026-01-23 08:22:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"How to deal with Donald Trump?"/ Details emerge from discussions at

The EU heads of state and government discussed for five hours: The main topic of discussion was the unrest of recent days and the threats from US President Donald Trump. Many participants, some satisfied, but at least relieved, expressed satisfaction that they had remained firm even before the meeting.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he would not comment further on the events of the last week: "There is a good result ," he said, and dismissed rumors of the end of NATO and called for its preservation, emphasizing that "this alliance is not simply abandoned."

But the way Trump is behaving towards the EU and his tone has made many members think deeply, but also determined.

"Relations between partners and allies must be treated with respect ," warned EU Council President António Costa after the meeting. Europe and the US have common interests in the Arctic. NATO is working on this and the EU will take a stronger role.

But Costa also made it very clear: " Only the people of Denmark and Greenland can make decisions about their future. We are committed to international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty. This is essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole."

Doubts about the Peace Council

European Council President António Costa was not very positive about the so-called Trump Peace Council, to which several European heads of government and the Commission have also been invited. " We have serious doubts about a number of elements in this council," Costa said, "both in terms of its size and its responsibility."

He added that it was not clear how this was compatible with the United Nations Charter. The Portuguese president explained that they were prepared to work with the US on a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, but only with an institution that saw itself as a transitional entity.

No decision yet on Mercosur agreement

Another topic of discussion at the special summit was the Mercosur agreement, which is currently blocked in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, calls are growing in both the Parliament and the Council to put this agreement into effect, at least temporarily.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported that there is "a clear interest in ensuring that the benefits of this important agreement can be realised as soon as possible."

Whether and when the Commission will start the process for the provisional application of the agreement has not yet been decided, according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. First, ratification will have to take place in the first Mercosur countries, von der Leyen explained. "We are ready when they are ready" - when they are ready, then we in the EU will be too." /DW