EU leaders ponder ‘cruel paradox’ of US administration threatening tariffs and land grab

Last month, Mr Trump left open the possibility that the US military might be used to secure Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Pascal Bastien/AP)

After three years trying to deter Russia from destroying Ukraine, EU leaders have been grappling with possible responses to a major ally who appears determined to start a trade war or perhaps even seize part of their territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it would “be a cruel paradox if, during the time of this direct Russian threat and Chinese expansion”, that the EU and the US might end up in a “conflict among allies”.