Meta executive cautions that European retaliation against US tech firms over Greenland would be self-defeating and harm the continent’s own economy.
DAVOS: A senior Meta executive has warned Europe that targeting US technology firms in any trade retaliation over Greenland would be “self-defeating”.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, made the remarks on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
His comments come as Europe considers its response to President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on countries opposing a US takeover of Greenland.
Kaplan argued that such a move would hurt countless European businesses and consumers.
“Our services are relied on by millions of small businesses to reach customers and grow their businesses and create jobs in Europe,” he told reporters.
He warned that targeting tech could lead to a damaging “retaliatory spiral”.
Kaplan acknowledged European governments must decide what is in their own best interests.
However, he said he expected them to conclude that access to these technologies “will continue to be important”.
Also on Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Europeans to avoid “reflexive anger”.
He encouraged them to sit down with Trump in Davos to hear his arguments about acquiring Greenland.
European officials have begun exploring the use of the EU’s powerful “anti-coercion” mechanism.
This trade weapon, sometimes dubbed the “nuclear option”, could involve tariffs on US goods and other measures.
