Trump's threat of tariffs over Greenland/ Europe mobilizes to respond

2026-01-18 19:48:06, Kosova & Bota CNA

Countries targeted by US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs over their opposition to his plans for Greenland said they would "stand united" in their response, according to a joint statement released on Sunday.

" Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous spiral of escalation ," said the UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

"We will continue to remain united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to protecting our sovereignty," they added.

Ambassadors from the 27 European Union countries gathered for an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss their response to the US threat of tariffs.

As early as Saturday, they warned of a "dangerous downward spiral" after US President Donald Trump vowed to impose ever-increasing tariffs on European allies until the US is allowed to buy Greenland.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that additional 10% tariffs on imports will take effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom — all already subject to tariffs imposed by Trump.

These tariffs will increase to 25% on June 1 and will continue until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland, Trump wrote, prompting a reaction from the EU.

"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to defending its sovereignty," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa said in posts on X.

The bloc's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the tariffs would harm prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic while distracting the EU from its "core task" of ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

"China and Russia must be enjoying themselves. They are the ones who benefit from the divisions between allies ," Kallas said at X.

"Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermining our shared prosperity. If Greenland's security is at risk, we can address this within NATO," she added.

Meanwhile, Trump is intensifying efforts to take control of the autonomous Arctic island.

Trump argues that the United States needs mineral-rich Greenland and has accused Denmark of not doing enough to ensure its security against US rivals Russia and China.

The US president also hinted on Friday that he is questioning his country's key role in NATO over Greenland, adding that Washington is "talking" with the Western military alliance about the issue.

"We'll see. NATO has been addressing the Greenland issue with us," Trump later told reporters, when asked whether he would withdraw the US from NATO if the alliance does not help Washington take the island.

"We really need Greenland for national security. If we don't have it, we have a national security gap, especially when it comes to what we're doing under 'Golden Dome,'" he added, referring to the missile defense system the US is planning to have.

European countries, which are members of NATO, have in recent days expressed their support for Denmark and Greenland, following increasing threats from Trump, including sending troops to this strategic territory.

A bipartisan delegation from the US Congress on January 16 began a visit to Copenhagen to express support for Denmark and Greenland.

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland visited the White House on Wednesday for talks aimed at reducing tensions, but after the meeting they said they continue to have "fundamental disagreements" with Trump.

However, the United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed to establish a working group to continue talks every two to three weeks, the White House announced on Thursday.

Britain, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have announced the deployment of small numbers of military personnel to prepare for upcoming exercises in the Arctic.

But White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said European troops have no influence on Trump's "intention to take Greenland." /REL