PANews reported on January 19th that, according to Xinhua News Agency, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gir stated on the 19th that the EU will hold an emergency summit in Brussels, Belgium on the 22nd to discuss issues such as US President Trump's announcement of tariffs on European countries opposing the US acquisition of Greenland, and to assess possible EU countermeasures. Gir said that in response to Trump's tariff threats, EU-US contact and communication are continuing "at all levels." The EU is also holding intensive consultations with member states on possible countermeasures. The EU will "make every necessary effort" to protect its own interests. Gir stated that the EU's primary task is "engagement, not escalation." However, he said that if the US implements the aforementioned tariffs, "the EU has the tools at its disposal and is prepared to respond."