Major EU Nations Criticize Trump’s Tariff Threats Over Greenland
BRUSSELS: Key European Union countries, including Germany and France, have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats regarding Greenland, labeling them as a form of blackmail. This reaction comes after Trump announced plans to impose higher tariffs on Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, the UK, and Norway until the U.S. is allowed to purchase Greenland.
These nations are already facing tariffs from the U.S., ranging from 10% to 15%. All eight countries currently have a small military presence on Denmark’s Greenland, where tensions over the island’s future have been escalating.
In a joint statement, the nations expressed concern that Trump’s tariff threats could harm transatlantic relations and lead to further conflicts. They stressed that a Danish military exercise in Greenland was meant to bolster security in the Arctic and posed no threat to anyone.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed the solidarity from other nations, emphasizing that “Europe will not be blackmailed.” This sentiment was echoed by Germany’s finance minister and Sweden’s prime minister. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel described Trump’s actions as outright blackmail during a television interview.
A Coordinated European Response
With the situation escalating, Cyprus, which currently holds the EU presidency, called an emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss coordinated responses among EU leaders. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, during a visit to Norway, reiterated Denmark’s commitment to diplomacy, referencing a working group that Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. recently established.
“Despite the threats we face, we will continue down the diplomatic path,” said Rasmussen. He added that there are more forces at play in the U.S. beyond just the President.
In response to Trump’s actions, French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly seeking to use the Anti-Coercion Instrument. This could limit American access to European public tenders and trade in services. However, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin noted that activating such measures might be “a bit premature.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has a closer relationship with Trump compared to other EU leaders, called the tariff threat a “mistake,” stating that she had discussed her views with him directly earlier that day during her trip to Korea.
A Firm Stance from the UK
British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the need for allies to work together to resolve the dispute peacefully. She declared Britain’s position on Greenland as “non-negotiable” and stressed the importance of collaboration instead of escalating tensions.
Trump’s tariff threats not only threaten the U.S. trade deals made with Britain and the EU but have also prompted the European Parliament to consider halting its work on the EU-U.S. trade agreement. A significant vote to reduce EU import duties scheduled for January has now become uncertain, with prominent officials indicating it cannot proceed as planned.
Additionally, German lawmaker Juergen Hardt hinted that a boycott of the upcoming World Cup in the U.S. might be a last-resort option to influence Trump on the Greenland issue.
