European nations sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose 10% tariffs on eight European countries for opposing American influence over Greenland, calling the move “unacceptable” and warning it risks undermining transatlantic relations.
The joint statement from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland emphasized that troops sent to Greenland for NATO exercise “Arctic Endurance” pose no threat. The countries declared solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and reaffirmed commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that dialogue with the U.S. is ongoing, while Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called Trump’s tariff threats “unacceptable between close allies.”
EU officials warned that the tariffs could destabilize the EU-U.S. trade agreement, and EU Council President Antonio Costa expressed readiness to defend against coercion. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added that China and Russia could benefit from transatlantic divisions.
Trump indicated that the tariffs were intended to pressure Europe into negotiations over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. He also referenced NATO warnings about Russian activity near Greenland, framing the move as critical to U.S. national security.
The policy sparked widespread protests in Greenland, with demonstrators marching in Nuuk and expressing opposition to Trump’s stance. Some U.S. politicians, including Sen. Mark Kelly and former Vice President Mike Pence, criticized the approach, questioning Trump’s constitutional authority and potential impact on NATO alliances.
Even Trump’s European populist allies expressed concern. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni called the tariffs “a mistake,” clarifying that European troop deployments to Greenland were not directed against the U.S. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen’s Jordan Bardella described the move as “commercial blackmail.”
The episode has united Britain’s main political parties in criticism, highlighting broad European alarm over Trump’s aggressive approach to Greenland.
