European leaders push back as Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland
Trump warned that European allies opposing the move were playing “a very dangerous game” involving the “Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.” He has previously said Washington would acquire the Arctic territory “the easy way” or “the hard way.”
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European allies from 1 Feb, escalating tensions over his proposal that the United States acquire Greenland, according to statements from US and European officials.
The tariffs would apply to imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, reports the BBC.
Trump said the levies could rise to 25% in June and would remain in place until a deal is reached for what he called the "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland," adding that the tariff would remain "payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."
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Trump warned that European allies opposing the move were playing "a very dangerous game" involving the "Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet." He has previously said Washington would acquire the Arctic territory "the easy way" or "the hard way."
European leaders rejected the use of trade measures as leverage and voiced strong opposition to the proposal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the tariff move "completely wrong," adding: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration."
French President Emmanuel Macron described the threats as "unacceptable" and said, "We will not be swayed by any intimidation."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, "We won't let ourselves be blackmailed," while European Council President Antonio Costa said, "The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law... which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union."
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the tariff threat had "come as a surprise," particularly as it followed the establishment of a joint US-Danish working group intended to discuss Greenland's future.
Manfred Weber, head of the European People's Party (EPP), said that because of the threats, "approval [of the EU-US trade deal] is not possible at this stage" and that "0% tariffs on US products must be put on hold."
The proposal has also met strong opposition in Greenland and Denmark. Opinion surveys show about 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the United States.
Thousands of protesters have demonstrated in Nuuk and Copenhagen, carrying signs reading "Hands Off Greenland," "Greenland for Greenlanders," "Greenland is not for sale," and "We shape our future."
Camilla Siezing, head of Inuit, an umbrella group of Greenlandic associations, said, "We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland's right to self-determination."
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters, saying Greenlanders would shape their own future.
US officials have defended the proposal on security grounds. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Denmark "just doesn't have the resources or the capacity to do what needs to be done in the northern region," and argued that Greenlanders would be "safer, stronger and more prosperous under the umbrella of the United States."
In Washington, Democratic Senator Chris Coons criticised the president's language, calling Trump's rhetoric on the issue "not constructive."
European officials have countered that Arctic security is a shared Nato responsibility. In a show of solidarity, several European countries have sent small numbers of troops to Greenland on a reconnaissance mission, officials said.
