European leaders have strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on eight key allies over his push to take control of Greenland, calling the move aggressive, unjustified, and dangerous for international relations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was “completely wrong,” while French President Emmanuel Macron labeled it “unacceptable.” Their reactions came after Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, set to begin on February 1, with a possible increase to 25% by June if no agreement is reached over Greenland.
Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to US national security and has refused to rule out the use of force to acquire the territory. Greenland, though sparsely populated, holds strategic importance due to its location in the Arctic and its valuable natural resources.
In response to the escalating tensions, the European Union called an emergency meeting in Brussels to coordinate a unified stance. Meanwhile, thousands of citizens in Greenland and Denmark marched in protest, carrying signs that read “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland Is Not for Sale.”
Several European nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, have already sent small reconnaissance military teams to Greenland in solidarity with Denmark, emphasizing that Arctic security should be a shared NATO responsibility.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Trump’s tariff threats could severely damage transatlantic relations and undermine international law. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested that rival powers like China and Russia would benefit from divisions among Western allies.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the threat came as a shock, while German MEP Manfred Weber stated that the ongoing EU-US trade deal should now be paused due to Trump’s actions.
Inside the United States, opposition is also growing. Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks called the tariffs “illegal and absurd,” accusing Trump of creating an unnecessary international crisis while ignoring domestic economic problems.
Opinion polls show that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to become part of the United States. In Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister joined protesters demanding respect for their sovereignty and right to self-determination.
