A fresh threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on eight European allies over their opposition to his plan to take over Greenland has sparked strong condemnation across Europe and deepened tensions between longtime partners.
Trump announced that a 10 per cent tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland will come into force on February 1.
He warned the rate could rise to 25 per cent by June and would stay in place until a deal is reached for what he called the “complete and total” purchase of Greenland.
Europe rejects US pressure and defends Greenland
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “completely wrong,” while French President Emmanuel Macron said tariff threats were “unacceptable.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that such steps would undermine transatlantic relations and could trigger a dangerous downward spiral.
The European Union has called an emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss a joint response.
European leaders also stressed that the security of the Arctic should remain a shared NATO responsibility, not a matter of pressure or coercion.
Protests grow as Trump pushes Greenland Plan
Trump insists Greenland is vital for US security because of its strategic location and rich resources.
He has previously said the United States could get the territory “the easy way or the hard way” and has not ruled out the use of force.
His latest remarks came as thousands of people took to the streets in Denmark and in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, to protest against any US takeover.
Protesters carried signs reading “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland is not for sale,” while Greenland’s prime minister joined rallies in support of self-rule.
Although Greenland is sparsely populated, its location between North America and the Arctic makes it important for early warning systems and regional security.
Opinion polls show that around 85 per cent of Greenlanders oppose joining the United States.
European countries have already sent small military teams to Greenland for a limited mission, underlining their support for Denmark and for Greenland’s right to decide its own future.
The tariff threat has added new urgency to the crisis and has strained relations inside NATO at a time when unity is already under pressure.
