President Donald Trump has raised tensions with the UK and other European nations by threatening tariffs if they refuse to negotiate the sale of Greenland. Responding to Trump’s tariff warning on Truth Social, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK released a joint statement expressing their commitment to Arctic security as a shared interest within NATO.
The countries emphasized their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, rejecting any threats to their sovereignty. They denounced tariff threats as damaging to transatlantic relations and pledged a united response to uphold their sovereignty.
Trump’s ultimatum includes imposing 10% tariffs on exports to the US from these countries starting February 1, escalating to 25% in June if his demands regarding Greenland are not met. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump insisted on negotiation and criticized the countries for their actions, claiming it jeopardizes global peace and security.
Leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson have condemned Trump’s tariff threats, vowing not to be intimidated or blackmailed. Despite US pressure on Greenland, reports suggest the affected countries were caught off guard by the sudden escalation.
Recent military movements in Greenland, including the UK sending a military officer at Denmark’s request for an upcoming Arctic endurance exercise, have added to the tensions. European Union leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, have defended Denmark’s military activities, warning against the risks posed by tariffs to transatlantic relations.