European leaders declare Trump’s tariff threat concerning Greenland ‘unacceptable’

A warning from US President Donald Trump regarding new tariffs on eight allied nations against his suggested acquisition of Greenland has sparked outrage among European leaders.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the action as “entirely inappropriate,” while French President Emmanuel Macron deemed it “unacceptable”.

These remarks were made after Trump revealed a 10% tariff on items from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland to start on 1 February, potentially escalating to 25% and remaining until an agreement is reached.

Trump maintains that the self-governing Danish territory is vital for US security and has not dismissed taking it forcibly.

In response to Trump’s threats, the European Union convened an urgent meeting for 17:00 in Brussels (16:00 GMT) on Sunday. This meeting will include ambassadors from the 27 EU nations, as reported by Reuters news agency.

Meanwhile, thousands protested in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday against the US’s proposed acquisition.

Greenland is thinly populated yet resource-rich, and its positioning between North America and the Arctic makes it ideal for missile attack early warning systems and vessel monitoring in the area.

Trump has stated previously that Washington would acquire the territory “the easy way” or “the hard way”.

European nations have come together to support Denmark. They argue that the security of the Arctic is a collective responsibility within NATO.

France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK have sent a limited number of troops to Greenland on what has been termed a reconnaissance mission.

In announcing the new tariffs via his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump indicated that these nations were engaging in “a very perilous game.” He claimed that the stakes involved the “Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet”.

He stated that the 10% tariff to be implemented next month on products exported to the US would increase to 25% by June and be “payable until a Deal is finalized for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.

In response, Starmer remarked: “Imposing tariffs on allies for upholding NATO collective security is entirely incorrect. We will certainly address this directly with the US administration.”

UK opposition figures also condemned Trump’s announcement. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled the tariffs a “terrible idea,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned they “will be detrimental to us”.

Emmanuel Macron of France stated: “Tariff threats are intolerable in this context… We will not be deterred by any intimidation.”

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson expressed: “We won’t allow ourselves to be blackmailed.”

“Sweden is currently engaged in intensive discussions with other EU nations, Norway, and the UK to devise a unified response,” he added.

In a message on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed: “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental tenets of international law.”

“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and trigger a hazardous downward spiral,” she further stated.

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, commented that “China and Russia must be thrilled” by Trump’s declaration.

“They are the ones profiting from the rifts among Allies,” she wrote on X.

European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized: “The European Union will always staunchly defend international law… which fundamentally begins within the territory of EU member states.”

Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated the threat had “come as a shock”.

Additionally, German MEP Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, remarked that Trump’s action raised doubts about the pending EU-US trade agreement negotiated last year.

Brussels and Washington reached an agreement that set a US tariff of 15% on all EU goods and that the 27-member bloc would open its markets to US exporters with 0% tariffs on select products.

“The EPP supports the EU-US trade deal, but in light of Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, ratification is currently unfeasible,” Weber posted on X. “The 0% tariffs on US goods must be halted,” he added.

The US UN ambassador, Mike Waltz, however, stated that Denmark “simply lacks the resources or capacity to address the necessities in the northern region”.

He mentioned to Fox News that Greenlanders’ lives would be “safer, stronger, and more prosperous” under the United States’ jurisdiction.

Trump has frequently indicated that “tariff” is his preferred term, and he has made it clear that he considers it a blunt instrument designed to persuade – or force – nations globally to adopt policies aligned with the White House’s objectives.

Nonetheless, his recent announcement reflects a notable intensification in his long-standing ambition to obtain Greenland, despite the opposition it faces.

It remains unclear what exactly triggered the tariffs announcement, which Trump initially hinted at during a press conference at the White House on Friday.

In recent weeks, he has repeatedly suggested that various options – including possible military action – remain viable, although the announcement follows a decision by US and Danish officials to establish a high-level working group to discuss the island’s future.

Within Washington’s diplomatic and political spheres, that declaration was interpreted by many as a “best-case” scenario for Denmark and its European allies – one that would, at minimum, delay any decisions or further escalation from the White House.

Instead, the newly introduced tariffs have injected a heightened sense of urgency into the situation, straining ties with significant NATO allies and trading partners.

Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated he would “submit a resolution to immediately repeal these unlawful and ridiculous tariffs”.

He commented: “Trump is creating a foreign crisis and undermining our closest alliance – all while disregarding the genuine crisis the American public truly cares about: affordability.”

Polls indicate that 85% of Greenlanders are against the territory becoming part of the US.

Protests against Trump’s acquisition plans were held in Danish cities as well as in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on Saturday – prior to the tariff announcement.

In Copenhagen, placards displayed messages such as: “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders”.

“We demand acknowledgment for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s self-determination rights,” stated Camilla Siezing, leader of Inuit, an umbrella organization of Greenlandic groups.

In Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined demonstrators holding banners that read “Greenland is not for sale” and “we design our future” as they made their way to the US consulate.

The demonstrations coincided with a visit to Copenhagen by a delegation from the US Congress. Its head, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, referred to Trump’s language as “not constructive”.