WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS – European leaders have united in condemnation after US President Donald Trump announced fresh punitive tariffs on eight allied nations opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland.
In a move that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “completely wrong” and French President Emmanuel Macron termed “unacceptable,” Trump declared that a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would come into force on February 1. He further warned that this levy could rise to 25% by June and would remain in place until a deal is reached for the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
Escalation of Tensions Trump insists the autonomous Danish territory is critical for US national security, particularly for early warning systems in the Arctic. He accused the targeted European nations—who have dispatched a small number of troops to Greenland on a “reconnaissance mission”—of playing “a very dangerous game.”
Leaders React
- Keir Starmer (UK): “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will pursue this directly with the US administration.”
- Emmanuel Macron (France): “Tariff threats are unacceptable in this context… We will not be swayed by any intimidation.”
- Ursula von der Leyen (EC President): Warned that tariffs would “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” emphasizing that territorial integrity is fundamental to international law.
Crisis in Brussels The European Union has called an emergency meeting for Sunday evening in Brussels involving ambassadors from all 27 member states. German MEP Manfred Weber suggested that the pending EU-US trade deal, which included 0% tariffs on certain US products, must now be put on hold. “Approval is not possible at this stage,” he stated.
Protests and Resistance On the ground, resistance is visible. Thousands marched in Copenhagen and Nuuk on Saturday. In Greenland’s capital, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters marching towards the US consulate, holding signs reading “Greenland is not for sale.” Opinion polls suggest 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US.
Despite the backlash, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the move on Fox News, arguing that Greenlanders would be “safer, stronger, and more prosperous under the umbrella of the United States.”
