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Trump threatens 10% tariffs on eight allies over Greenland dispute
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared on Monday that Europe would not yield to pressure after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 10% levy on goods from eight NATO allies unless they supported his bid to acquire Greenland.
Allies unite in condemnation
Frederiksen and leaders from seven other nations-Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK-issued a joint statement on Sunday denouncing the tariffs as a threat to transatlantic relations. The statement reaffirmed their "full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland" and emphasized Arctic security as a shared priority within NATO.
"We stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind."
Joint statement by eight European leaders
Trump defends Greenland push amid backlash
Trump argued on Monday that NATO had long urged Denmark to counter Russian influence in Greenland but claimed Copenhagen had failed to act. "Now it is time, and it will be done!!!" he wrote on Truth Social. His administration has not ruled out military action, a prospect that has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders.
The proposed tariffs would take effect on 1 February, starting at 10% and potentially rising to 25% in June unless a deal for Greenland's "complete and total purchase" is reached, Trump stated.
International reactions and diplomatic tensions
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the tariff threat "completely wrong" and said London would address the issue directly with the White House. French President Emmanuel Macron warned he would activate the EU's "anti-coercion instrument" if the tariffs proceed. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed that respect for sovereignty is a "non-negotiable" principle of international law.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the move on NBC's Meet the Press, claiming Greenland "can only be defended if it is part of the US." He suggested Europeans would eventually recognize the benefits of the acquisition.
Public and political opposition grows
Protests erupted in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, and Danish cities over the weekend, coinciding with a visit by a US congressional delegation. Democratic Senator Chris Coons, leading the group, described Trump's rhetoric as "not constructive."
Greenland's representative to the US noted that in a January 2025 referendum, 85% of Greenlanders opposed US control, with only 6% in favor. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week found 47% of Americans opposed Trump's push, while just 17% supported it.
Arctic security takes center stage at Davos
The dispute will shadow this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump, Macron, and other leaders are scheduled to speak. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to bolster Arctic security, emphasizing NATO cooperation as the best path forward. NATO Secretary General Rutte said he had discussed the Greenland situation with Trump and would continue talks in Davos.
