Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say

President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on eight allies who oppose his bid to seize Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as “unacceptable”.

The comments came after Trump announced that a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would come into effect on February 1, but could then rise to 25 percent and last until a deal is reached.

Mr. Trump insists that the autonomous Danish territory is critical to U.S. security and has not ruled out seizing it by force.

Meanwhile, thousands of people took to the streets in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday to protest the US takeover bid.

Although sparsely populated, Greenland is rich in resources, and its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems and monitoring of ships in the region in the event of missile attacks.

Trump has previously said Washington would take the region “the easy way” or the “hard way.”

European countries joined Denmark in support. They argued that the security of the Arctic region should be a joint responsibility of NATO.

France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and England sent a small number of troops to Greenland on a so-called reconnaissance mission.

Announcing the new tariffs on the Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said these countries were playing “a very dangerous game.” What is at stake, he said, is the “Safety, Security and Survival of Our Planet.”

He said a proposed 10% duty on goods exported to the US next month would rise to 25% in June and would be “payable until an Agreement for the Full and Complete acquisition of Greenland is reached.”

In his response, Starmer said: “Imposing tariffs on allies to ensure the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. Of course, we will pursue this directly with the US administration.”

France’s Emmanuel Macron said: “Tariff threats are unacceptable in this context… We will not bow to any intimidation.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed.”

“Sweden is currently in intensive talks with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom to find a common response,” he added.

European Council President Antonio Costa said: “The European Union will always be very determined to defend international law… this of course starts on the territory of the member states of the European Union.”

Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the threat was a “surprise”.

Meanwhile, German lawmaker Manfred Weber, head of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, said Trump’s move raises questions about the yet-to-be ratified EU-US trade deal negotiated last year.

Brussels and Washington reached a deal under which the US would impose a 15 percent tariff on all EU goods and the 27-member bloc would open its markets to US exporters with a 0 percent tariff on certain products.

“The EPP is in favor of the EU-US trade agreement, but given Donald Trump’s threats against Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage,” Weber said in his post on X. “The 0% tariff on US products needs to be suspended,” he added.

But US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Denmark “does not have the resources or capacity to do what needs to be done in the northern region”.

He told Fox News that Greenlanders’ lives would be “safer, stronger and more prosperous under the U.S. umbrella.”

Trump has often considered “tariff” to be his favorite word and has made clear that he views it as a blunt tool used to persuade or coerce countries around the world to align their policies with the White House’s desired outcomes.

But his announcement represents a significant escalation in the recently reignited attempt to seize Greenland despite opposition.

It’s unclear what immediately triggered the tariff announcement, which Trump first hinted at when speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday.

The announcement came just days after US and Danish officials agreed to form a high-level working group to discuss the island’s future, although it has repeatedly said in recent weeks that various options, including the possible use of military force, remain on the table.

In Washington’s diplomatic and political circles, this announcement was seen by many as a “best case” scenario for Denmark and its European allies; This scenario would at least delay any decision by the White House or further escalation of tensions.

Instead, the latest tariffs have added a new sense of urgency to the issue and strained relations with key NATO allies and trading partners.

Opinion polls show that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose the region joining the United States.

Demonstrations were held against Trump’s takeover plans It was held in Danish cities and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. on Saturday – before the tariff announcement.

Banners reading “Withdraw from Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders” were unfurled in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

“We demand respect for the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination,” said Camilla Siezing, president of Inuit, an umbrella group of Greenlandic associations.

In Nuuk, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters carrying banners saying “Greenland is not for sale” and “we shape our future” as they headed towards the US consulate.

The rallies coincide with the visit of a delegation from the US Congress to Copenhagen. His leader, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, called Mr. Trump’s rhetoric “not constructive.”