Emergency Meeting: EU Responds to Trump’s Greenland Tariffs
European Leaders Condemn New U.S. Tariffs, Defend Sovereignty
European leaders are responding with unity after President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs against eight NATO countries until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland. The move, announced Saturday, escalates tensions and risks a new trade war that could fracture the transatlantic alliance.
From Ursula von der Leyen to French President emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, EU officials pledged a coordinated defense of Europe’s sovereignty. The Trump administration plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on products from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom starting February 1, perhaps increasing to 25% in June if a deal isn’t reached for the “complete and complete purchase of Greenland.”
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.The tariff threat follows a joint mission announced earlier this week by several European countries to the island, prompting a swift reaction from the White House.
Last summer, the EU and U.S. signed a trade agreement that tripled tariffs on European products to 15%, while eliminating tariffs on American industrial goods. At the time, the EU made significant concessions to secure U.S.commitment to Ukraine and global stability.
It’s unclear how these new tariffs would interact with the existing agreement, but the threat raises the possibility of a renewed trade war.
EU Council president António Costa will coordinate the European response. Von der Leyen warned that the tariffs “would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” adding, “Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to the defense of its sovereignty.”
The European Commission typically handles trade negotiations for the 27 member states. However, the White House could target individual countries by focusing on specific products and industries.
European Leaders Call Threats ‘Unacceptable’
The Trump administration has increasingly insisted that Greenland be transferred to the United States, framing the issue as vital to national security.