EU clings to hope it can defuse Trump at Davos

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MEP Nicola Procaccini, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-hand man within the European Parliament, added: “We have now to keep away from the escalations."

Three diplomats POLITICO spoke with stated the software was nonetheless being thought-about — however as a last-resort possibility that requires extra consideration inside capitals.

Ambassadors on Monday relayed a rising resolve to hit again that had emerged from their three-hour assembly on Sunday.

“The temper is shifting," stated a senior EU diplomat. “We should be stronger and firmer. He [Trump] in all probability respects the present of power greater than the hand that you just lengthen to him as a result of that is for him an indication of weak point.”

In parallel, European embassies in Washington are coordinating amongst themselves to succeed in out to key U.S. industries and companies that might be hit by potential EU countermeasures in an effort to construct stress on Trump to desert the plan, in line with two of the diplomats. They're additionally reaching out to members of Trump’s entourage and to Republicans operating for reelection in mid-term elections within the U.S. in November.

“What we try to do is affect members of Congress,” stated the senior EU diplomat above, who was within the room when ambassadors held their emergency assembly on Sunday night. “They're Republicans, they're up for reelection in November. They've to consider their audiences at house. We try to persuade them to do one thing.”

“European persistence and tolerance are at an all-time low. However that does not imply that collectively we might be ready to make use of" the total power of the EU's commerce weapons, stated a nationwide official. “We're attempting to deescalate this week.”

Zoya Sheftalovich and Nicholas Vinocur reported from Brussels; Max Griera reported from Strasbourg. Gerardo Fortuna, Gabriel Gavin, Jacopo Barigazzi and Seb Starcevic contributed reporting.