Arctic winds

In the middle of a whirlwind of US statements, MEPs speak firmly in favour of a stronger Europe 

Dear reader, 

The old saying “A week is a long time in politics” was proven right once again as the recent statements made by US President Donald Trump on Greenland and imposing extra tariffs were high on Parliament’s and EU’s agenda.

Parliament also made progress on many important legislative files, including air passenger rights, essential medicines and a new legal framework for innovative companies. In this issue of The Hemicycle, we will guide you through these and other debates and decisions.

No to Greenland threats  

When President Trump once again expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and issued threats of applying extra tariffs to punish countries that objected, political groups decided to postpone a scheduled vote on a report on EU-US political relations. Progress on the EU-US trade deal, that was supposed to bring clarity on the tariffs each side should be applying, was also put on hold by the committee on international trade.

In a debate on Greenland, most MEPs called for a firm stand against territorial grabs and breaches of international law.

President Roberta Metsola got a lengthy applause when she stated at the start of the plenary: “The European Union supports Denmark and the people of Greenland. We do so completely and united in our resolve”. She continued: “Some will mistake our way of calm resolve, restraint and dialogue for weakness. They are wrong. It is the opposite. We are Europe: We will always stand up for our way, rationally, confidently and deliberately and we will make no apologies for that.”

In a report on the EU’s common foreign and security policy adopted this week, Parliament denounced the use of unilateral trade threats and economic intimidation. Parliament said that these moves were incompatible with international law and the core principles of cooperation between NATO allies.

The EU must respond firmly, collectively and decisively, and resist any such efforts at blackmailing. It must also draw lessons from its vulnerabilities and avoid being left open to coercion in the future, MEPs said in the report.

In another debate, MEPs discussed the outcome of the European Council in December and the need for a stronger Europe. Most speakers agreed that Europe’s security depends on preventing Russia from achieving its objectives in its aggression against Ukraine.

On Thursday evening, after President Trump walked back his tariff threats, Parliament President Metsola expressed satisfaction at the margins of the EU leaders’ informal summit that “cooler heads have prevailed”. “If there is one thing we learned this week, it is that we have to be autonomous and strong. At the same time [...] we need a fair partnership with the United States, which is in the interest of all, that is based on dialogue and respect,” she added.

Solidarity with Iran's people 

The brutal repression of protesters in Iran was condemned by Parliament. MEPs demanded an immediate end to violence, executions, and civilian murders by security forces, plus the unconditional release of all protesters, human rights defenders, and journalists.  

They urged that the so-called Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, used by Iran’s regime to attack protesters, should be classified as a terrorist organisation. Other demands included expanding EU sanctions such as asset freezes and visa bans, and support for tools that circumvent censorship of the internet. 

Watch the debate here. 

Funding for Ukraine 

A €90 billion loan to support Ukraine cleared important procedural steps during the week, as Parliament approved the use of the enhanced cooperation procedure. This procedure allows a group of EU countries to work together in specific areas even if not all countries are on board.  

In this specific case, 24 member states (all except Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia) have declared they are ready to provide funds to Ukraine for military and civilian purposes. MEPs also decided to fast-track their work on the loan and the accompanying proposals, which will have to be agreed between Parliament and Council. 

EU-Mercosur trade deal referred to court 

Parliament decided to ask the European Court of Justice for a legal opinion on whether the EU-Mercosur trade deal, signed this month between the EU and the South American countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, conforms to EU treaties. 

MEPs wish to clarify the legal basis of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and its interim Trade Agreement, arguing the deal may exceed the EU’s jurisdiction in areas such as public health, environmental protection, and labour standards reserved for individual member states under EU treaties.  

Parliament will vote on granting its consent only after the court delivers its opinion. 

Air passengers must be protected 

Air passengers must continue being eligible for compensation if their flights are delayed three hours or more, Parliament said - pushing back against Council efforts to weaken rights in place since 2004. 

The Council has suggested that compensation should apply only after a four-to-six-hour delay, depending on the flight distance. 

Members also defend the rights of passengers to carry with them on the airplane, at no additional cost, one personal item (such as a handbag, backpack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage. 

After this decision by Parliament, the ball is now back in the Council’s court. If the Council does not agree with Parliament’s position, the two institutions will have to look for a deal in one final round of negotiations. 

Protecting the supply of critical medicines 

Some medicines are too important to run out of. Parliament adopted proposals to ensure that antibiotics, insulin, vaccines, and treatments for chronic diseases continue to be available in the EU and that shortages, often caused by manufacturing issues, are overcome. 

MEPs support investments in EU-based strategic projects to build production capacity. They advocate a "Buy European" procurement policy favouring local manufacturers, easier cross-border joint purchases, and an EU mechanism to coordinate national stockpiles.  

With its position set, Parliament is now ready to enter into negotiations with EU governments on the final text of the regulation.  

Support for innovative companies 

MEPs also passed recommendations in support of a so-called "28th legal regime" (working in parallel to the laws of the 27 individual EU countries) to offer a new legal framework supporting innovative EU companies. The idea is to have a set of easy-to-use, optional EU-wide rules that would help boost investments, attract talent, enable research sharing, and speed up dispute resolution by using the English language when necessary. 

The adopted report calls on the European Commission to propose draft legislation by the end of March. This would then be negotiated between Council and Parliament. 

The European Commission survives another vote of no confidence  

For the fourth time since the start of the present Parliament’s term in 2024, a motion of censure against the European Commission was put on the table. Just like the previous ones (one in July and two in October 2025), it failed to pass. 

🏆🏆🏆

It’s always nice to get recognition - but we couldn’t have done it without you! The European Parliament recently received a couple of awards for the 2024 European elections campaign. Parliament’s communications team worked hard to spread awareness about the elections, and you, readers, followers and voters, made the campaign and the elections themselves a success. So, thank you! 

Finally, Parliament is also requesting that the Commission put forward legislation on how AI can be used to manage the workforce - a topic that has taken on great relevance, now that AI is appearing in offices around the world. MEPs want to ensure human oversight, and that workers’ fundamental rights and their personal data are protected. Parliament will set up an AMA (Ask me Anything) session on our Reddit channel with Parliament’s rapporteur Andrzej Buła (EPP, Poland) on Tuesday, 27 January, from 14.00 CET. Don’t miss the chance to ask your questions to the MEP who drafted Parliament’s position! 

The Hemicycle will be back with its February edition on Friday, 13 February. Let’s hope it’s a lucky one. Until then, take care!