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US tariffs on allies over Greenland dispute draw condemnation
US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on eight European allies opposing his bid to acquire Greenland has triggered widespread criticism from leaders across the continent. The proposed levies, announced via Truth Social on Saturday, would start at 10% on 1 February and could rise to 25% by June unless a purchase agreement is reached.
European leaders reject coercive tactics
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move "completely wrong," emphasizing that penalizing allies for prioritizing NATO's collective security undermines transatlantic relations. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the tariffs "unacceptable," while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson vowed Sweden would "not be blackmailed" and announced coordinated discussions with EU members, Norway, and the UK.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that such measures risked a "dangerous downward spiral," reaffirming that territorial integrity and sovereignty are "fundamental principles of international law." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested the dispute played into the hands of adversaries like China and Russia, tweeting, "They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies."
Greenland protests and strategic significance
Thousands demonstrated in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, and Danish cities over the weekend, holding signs reading "Greenland is not for sale" and "Hands Off Greenland." Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters outside the US consulate in Nuuk, while Camilla Siezing of Inuit, an umbrella group for Greenlandic associations, demanded respect for the territory's right to self-determination.
Despite its sparse population, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it strategically vital for missile defense and maritime monitoring. Trump has repeatedly insisted the territory is "critical for US security," telling reporters the US would acquire it "the easy way or the hard way."
EU emergency meeting and military response
The European Union convened an emergency session in Brussels on Sunday (17:00 local time) to coordinate a response. Ambassadors from all 27 member states attended, as reported by Reuters.
In a show of solidarity, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK deployed small contingents of troops to Greenland under a "reconnaissance mission." European nations argue Arctic security should remain a shared NATO responsibility.
US political reactions and trade deal fallout
Trump's announcement has raised doubts about the future of a recently negotiated EU-US trade agreement. Manfred Weber, head of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, declared the deal's ratification "not possible at this stage" and called for suspending 0% tariffs on US exports until the dispute is resolved.
In Washington, Democratic lawmakers condemned the tariffs. Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced plans to introduce a resolution to "terminate these illegal and absurd tariffs immediately," accusing Trump of "manufacturing a foreign crisis" while ignoring domestic priorities like affordability.
"Trump treats the international stage like a schoolyard playground, attempting to bully and brute force other countries into compliance with his imperialist agenda."
Green MP Ellie Chowns
Diplomatic tensions escalate ahead of Davos
The tariffs were unveiled days after US and Danish officials agreed to establish a high-level working group to discuss Greenland's future-a move initially seen as a de-escalation. Instead, the new measures have injected urgency into the standoff, with Trump set to face von der Leyen, Macron, and other European leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, described the tariff threat as "a surprise," while US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz argued Greenlanders would be "safer, stronger, and more prosperous" under American governance. Polls indicate 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US.
