Brussels, 19 Jan. (LaPresse) – "From consultations between EU leaders, including President von der Leyen, it is clear that the priority in this case is to engage, not to escalate, and to avoid the imposition of tariffs. Why? Because this will ultimately harm consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU has consistently emphasised its common transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO." This was stated by European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill in the daily press briefing, responding to a question about the possibility of preparing to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument. ‘Should the threatened tariffs be imposed, the European Union has the tools at its disposal and is ready to respond, because we will do whatever is necessary to protect the EU's economic interests,’ he said. ‘We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests. We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with firmness and determination,’ he added, quoting von der Leyen.