Although Sweden has not yet formally responded, Ulf Kristersson says the answer will be no.
When France said no the other day, there was an immediate threat of a 200 percent punitive tariff on champagne and French wines. However, Kristersson does not want to speculate on what the consequences of a Swedish no could be.
"We'll see where this goes. Sweden makes decisions about which agreements we want to enter into, of course," the Prime Minister says by phone to TT from the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Focus on Trump
All the focus in Switzerland is on U.S. President Donald Trump and his speech later this afternoon. Many political leaders hope to influence him regarding threats of punitive tariffs against several European countries and his plans to "take" Greenland.
"The hope from all European countries is that the American threats will stop. We cannot accept blackmail," Kristersson told Swedish media on site.
"We'll see how the day unfolds," he continues.
Kristersson has a number of meetings scheduled in Davos, including with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
No meeting with Trump is planned for Kristersson.
Big muscles
Although Europe hopes that a solution can be found before the tariff threat is implemented on February 1, the EU is working in parallel on various response measures against American goods and services.
"Europe has significant muscle when it comes to trade. It's not muscle we want to use lightly, but it's clear that Europe has many different tools in its toolbox if this were to go in that direction," says Kristersson.
He now hopes the tone will be lowered.
"The most important thing for us is of course to stand up behind Denmark and Greenland and ensure that we return to sensible conversations," he says.
Correction: In a previous version, the Canadian Prime Minister was given the wrong first name.
