European leaders have condemned President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on countries that resist his plan to take over Greenland, warning that the move risks sending transatlantic relations into a “dangerous downward spiral.”
In a joint statement Sunday, the eight countries targeted by President Trump’s new tariffs said they stood “in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland, Denmark’s semi-autonomous territory.
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Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said in a statement: “Building on the process we started last week, we stand ready for a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we firmly support.”
“The threat of tariffs threatens to undermine transatlantic relations and send us into a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to respond in a united and coordinated manner. We are committed to defending our sovereignty.”
The rebuke comes as European officials prepare to hold emergency talks to coordinate a response to President Donald Trump’s escalating pressure campaign over the vast island’s future.
European Council President Antonio Costa said on Sunday ahead of an upcoming extraordinary meeting of member states that the European Union was united in defending national sovereignty and “defending against all forms of coercion.”
European officials are expected to discuss a range of options to respond to President Trump’s economic threat, including retaliatory tariffs and market restrictions on U.S. companies.
President Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose 10% tariffs on eight countries starting February 1, rising to 25% starting June 1, until the US reaches an agreement to buy Greenland.
The Financial Times reported that the bloc is considering imposing tariffs on 93 billion euros worth of U.S. goods and anti-coercion measures, known as trade bazookas, to be adopted by the bloc in 2023.
This mechanism, which has never been used before, would allow broad restrictions on investment and the removal of intellectual property protection for foreign companies in the region.
“An anti-compulsory instrument (ACI) specifically designed for such cases must now be used,” Bernd Lange, a member of the German Bundestag who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said in a post about X.
“I call on the European Commission to act immediately.”
President Trump’s insistence on control of Greenland has plunged U.S.-Europe relations to their lowest point in decades, raising concerns about NATO’s survival.
President Trump has not ruled out using military force to seize territory, but dismissed concerns that the 32-nation transatlantic alliance would be fractured. The alliance is built on the principle that an armed attack against any member state is considered an attack against all member states.
Denmark has ruled out selling Greenland, with polls showing the majority of the island’s 57,000 residents do not want it to become part of the United States.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Danish cities on Saturday to counter President Trump’s threats, chanting “Greenland is not for sale” and holding banners with slogans such as “We will not touch Greenland.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed gratitude for the “strong support” being provided to her country.
“We want to cooperate, but we are not the ones calling for conflict, and we are satisfied with the consistent message from the rest of the continent. Europe will not be intimidated,” Frederiksen said in a statement on social media.
French President Emmanuel Macron said “no threats or intimidation” would affect his government’s position on Greenland.
“The threat of tariffs is unacceptable and has no place in this context,” President Macron said on social media.
“If approved, European countries will respond in a united and coordinated manner. We will ensure that Europe’s sovereignty is upheld.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said President Trump’s tariff plans were “completely wrong”.
“Of course, we intend to pursue this matter directly with the US government,” he said on social media.
