BERLIN — Germany’s finance minister is throwing his weight behind France on the need for a tough counterstrike against President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to press for U.S. control of Greenland.

Lars Klingbeil, who is also Germany’s vice chancellor, told reporters on Monday that the European Union should prepare its so-called trade “bazooka” to be ready to strike back at Washington if Trump presses ahead with his threats of increased tariffs against EU countries.

“There is a legally established European toolbox for responding to economic blackmail with very sensitive measures. And we should now consider using these measures,” Klingbeil said, speaking beside his French counterpart in Berlin.

“Everything must be prepared now,” he added, while also emphasizing “we are ready to find solutions. We are extending our hand, but we are not prepared to be blackmailed.”

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office had announced Sunday that France would ask the EU to activate the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, nicknamed the trade bazooka.

Germany is usually more reluctant to take such far-reaching measures, not least to protect its ailing and export-dependent economy. But Klingbeil’s latest comments signal a willingness to take a harder line with Washington — at least on the part of his Social Democrats, that govern in a coalition government with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives.

“We are constantly experiencing new provocations. We are constantly experiencing new antagonism, which President Trump is seeking. And here we Europeans must make it clear that the limit has been reached,” Klingbeil said.

All eyes are now on Merz, who will speak to journalists later on Monday and has in the past been more conciliatory toward the Trump administration than the center-left vice chancellor.