The Dane is one of many EU leaders who are warning of measures to counter the trade threats from US President Donald Trump.
If the US introduces a tariff, we cannot do anything but hit back hard, says Frederiksen after the EU's social democratic leaders had a pre-meeting in Brussels ahead of Monday's informal EU summit.
Both France and Germany are giving similar messages.
If we are attacked trade-wise, Europe – as the power we are – must react and ensure that we are respected, says French President Emmanuel Macron on his way into the summit.
We must and will do so, emphasizes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"Only bad"
Even Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) sees it as given that the EU will respond jointly. But he still hopes that there will be no tariffs, using purely economic arguments.
Tariffs are basically only bad. Imposing tariffs on each other is bad economic policy that no one will benefit from in the long run, says Kristersson – and points out that there are others to trade with than the US.
We are a large block with 450 million people who have their own free trade and want as much free trade as possible with other parts of the world. The US is important, but the world is even bigger. So there are reasons why we are now concluding new free trade agreements between Europe and other large and small continents, says the Prime Minister in Brussels.
China laughing?
The EU Commission has long been preparing for possible US tariffs. If there is a decision from Trump, the EU is expected to respond with its own tariffs – primarily targeting goods produced in parts of the US where President Trump has some of his strongest supporters.
American bourbon, motorcycles, and orange juice from Florida are some examples that may come into question.
At the same time, many EU leaders are still holding out hope that it will not have to go that far.
If the US starts a trade war, it is China that will be laughing, warns EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas.
Inside the meeting, it has since been emphasized how important the EU's partnership with the US is – and that solutions need to be found.
"There was a strong unity on the fact that tariffs between the US and EU would be harmful to both sides", it says in a statement from an EU representative.
The EU countries' heads of state and government are holding an informal summit at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on Monday.
The leaders are discussing primarily defense issues, how the EU can jointly strengthen its defense and how it should be financed. The meeting is not expected to lead to any immediate decisions, but only pave the way for measures later this year.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is invited as an extra guest during lunch, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is attending as a dinner guest.
