A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was completely wrong while French President Emmanuel Macron called it unacceptable. Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson stated, We won't let ourselves be blackmailed. The comments came after Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, which would take effect on February 1 and could later rise to 25% until an agreement is reached.
Trump insists the autonomous Danish territory is critical for US security and has not ruled out taking it by force.
Meanwhile, thousands protested in Greenland and Denmark against any US plans to acquire the territory, with demonstrators expressing their desire for self-determination. Greenland, while sparsely populated, is rich in resources and strategically located for monitoring missile threats.
European countries have rallied to Denmark's support, arguing the Arctic's security should be a collective responsibility. France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK have dispatched troops to Greenland for reconnaissance missions.
Trump's tariff announcement has escalated tensions with core NATO allies, who view the proposed tariffs as an unacceptable form of intimidation. Starmer has stated that applying tariffs on allies undermines NATO’s collective security. Macron emphasized that they would not be swayed by such threats.
The geopolitical implications remain broad, with many in Greenland opposing American control, as highlighted by ongoing protests demanding respect for their autonomy.
