European Union’s ‘Trade Bazooka’ ACI: Deterrence Tool Against Economic Coercion

French President urges the first-time use of the European Union’s trade “Bazooka” (Anti‑Coercion Instrument, ACI) to counter US tariffs on European countries amid a standoff over Greenland. The instrument is cited as an EU deterrence tool to respond to economic coercion through trade or investment measures.

European Union Anti‑Coercion Instrument (ACI) (“Trade Bazooka”):

Dimension	Key Details
Name	Anti‑Coercion Instrument (ACI); referred to as the EU’s trade “Bazooka”
Meaning	Provides for action when a non‑EU country interferes in policy choices of the EU or its Member States by applying or threatening measures affecting trade or investment
Objective	Provides for deterrence and response to rising economic coercion
Measures	Import and export restrictions on goods and services; measures related to intellectual property rights; measures related to foreign direct investment; restrictions on access to the EU market