Trump’s Greenland tariffs threaten European allies

European leaders have hit back at US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on them if they oppose his attempt to buy Greenland, calling the ultimatum “completely wrong” and “unacceptable”.

Trump announced Saturday that his eight European allies will face tariffs starting at 10% on February 1 and rising to 25% on June 1 if a deal is not reached so that Washington can “buy” the Arctic region, which is semi-autonomous and part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Goods from eight NATO members sent to the US will face increased tariffs “until an Agreement for the Full and Complete Acquisition of Greenland is reached.” Trump stated Saturday on social media platform Truth Social.

Trump said the proposed tariffs would target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.

European leaders reacted quickly to the latest threat, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying on Saturday that “imposing tariffs on allies to ensure the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong”; French President Emmanuel Macron is he described them as “unacceptable”.

“Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner if these are confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld,” Macron said in a statement on social media platform X on Saturday. he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. a statement They said on Saturday that the EU “stands in full solidarity with the people of Denmark and Greenland.”

He added that they are committed to advancing dialogue after talks between Danish, Greenlandic and senior US officials ended last week without any diplomatic progress.

However, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: Trump’s tariff threat was a “surprise” Following a “constructive meeting” with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The European Union has called an emergency meeting at 16:00 London time on Sunday. Reuters reported.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who, like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is known to have good relations with Donald Trump, called for a calm attitude and for the negotiations to continue.

However, he warned that additional tariffs on top of the 15% tariff on EU exports to the US and the 10% on UK exports would also be damaging.

“It is best to resolve issues between allies through discussion, not pressure.” X said.

“European countries stand together. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland. Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs could undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”

Denmark and its European neighbors have made repeated efforts to dissuade Trump from seizing Greenland; especially after the president said earlier this month he would consider all options, including using military force, to capture the mineral-rich island.

Trump said that the purchase of Greenland is critical for the national security of the United States. He also said that US ownership would prevent Russia and China from gaining a foothold in the region. Beijing and Moscow criticized Trump’s claims and Greenland envy, calling them “an excuse for selfish gains” and “extraordinary.”

Greenland itself has repeatedly rejected Trump’s advances, and polls show that while the majority of its population wants independence from Denmark, most Greenlanders do not want to be part of the United States.

Protests took place in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on Saturday, with demonstrators holding banners reiterating the island’s and Denmark’s leadership’s position that “Greenland is not for sale.”