European governments blast Trump’s 10% Greenland tariff threat

European governments criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that eight countries would face a 10% tariff over opposing American control of Greenland beginning next month, with leaders positioning their responses around allied solidarity and Denmark’s sovereignty claim over the territory.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland were all on the list described by Trump. The report said it was not immediately clear whether the tariff plan would affect the European Union as a bloc.

The AP reported that Trump linked the tariff threat to retaliation over European countries deploying symbolic levels of troops to Greenland. Europeans, in turn, said the troops were sent in response to Trump’s call for strengthened Arctic security.

Denmark

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country was receiving strong support but that the issue extended beyond Denmark’s borders. She said it was “all the more important” that allies “stand firm on the fundamental values that created the European community,” adding that “We want to cooperate, and we are not the ones seeking conflict.”

Norway

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wrote on social media that “Threats have no place among allies.” Støre said Norway’s position was firm that “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” and that Norway fully supported the sovereignty of Denmark over Greenland. He also wrote that there was broad agreement in NATO on the need to strengthen Arctic security, including in Greenland.

Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said “We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed.” He added that he would “always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors,” and argued that it was “an EU issue that concerns many more countries than those now being singled out.”

France

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that “No intimidation or threats will influence us” in contexts including Greenland, and he said “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.”

Germany

Germany’s federal government said it had noted the U.S. president’s statements. In a post on social media, a spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, said Germany was in “closest coordination with its European partners” and that “Together, we will decide on appropriate responses at the appropriate time.”

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K.’s position on Greenland was “very clear — it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” and he said the territory’s future was a matter for “the Greenlanders and the Danes.” Starmer also wrote that “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong,” while saying Arctic security mattered for NATO and its allies.

Netherlands

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said tariffs were inappropriate in this case, telling an interview on “WNL op Zondag” that it was “inappropriate, because we’re not in favor of using trade tariffs in situations that have nothing to do with trade.” He said, “As allies, I don’t think this is how you should treat each other,” and added, “So no, I’m very unhappy about this.”

Finland

Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote that “Among allies, issues are best resolved through discussion, not through pressure.” He also said “Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”

Joint statement

In a joint statement issued Sunday, the eight countries said they were committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest as NATO members. They said the pre-coordinated Danish exercise “Arctic Endurance,” conducted with allies, “poses no threat to anyone.”

The statement said the eight countries stood in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland, and that they were “ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” It said “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” and said the countries would continue to “stand united and coordinated” in their response while upholding their sovereignty.