European leaders have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to impose tariffs on several European nations over Greenland, emphasizing unity and sovereignty ahead of an emergency summit.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declared, “We will not let ourselves be blackmailed,” while French President Emmanuel Macron added, “No intimidation nor threat will influence us.” Trump announced a 10 percent tariff hike on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland countries that recently deployed troops to Greenland until a deal is struck for the semiautonomous Danish territory, which he views as strategically vital due to its Arctic location and resources.
In response, the eight nations issued a statement standing firmly with Denmark and Greenland, affirming readiness to engage in dialogue based on “sovereignty and territorial integrity” and warning that tariff threats “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the threats, calling it “completely wrong” to impose tariffs on allies for pursuing NATO collective security. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil echoed the sentiment: “We will not be blackmailed,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, traditionally seen as a close ally of Trump, described the tariffs as “an error.”
European officials noted that because the European Union functions as a single trading bloc, tariffs on some nations would effectively apply to all 27 member states. The EU’s response is being closely watched, as diplomats weigh defending sovereignty against maintaining delicate relations with Washington. Cyprus, holding the rotating EU Council presidency, convened European ambassadors on Sunday to discuss next steps.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, warned that Trump’s actions risk fracturing NATO, saying, “China and Russia must be having a field day… They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.”
Denmark and Greenland’s foreign ministers have reiterated that they have no intention of ceding control of Greenland to the U.S. After a White House meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the diplomats said “fundamental disagreements” remain, but discussions will continue.
Greenland, home to 57,000 people, has been part of Denmark for centuries and gained increasing autonomy in recent decades. Polls indicate the majority of Greenlanders oppose U.S. acquisition. Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Denmark to assure leaders that most Americans and many members of Congress do not support Trump’s attempt to annex or purchase Greenland.
European leaders are now preparing for further discussions, including a scheduled visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels by Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and Europe over sovereignty, NATO unity, and Trump’s aggressive foreign policy maneuvers in the Arctic region.
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