Trump’s Greenland tariff threats prompt European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and world leaders to warn of damage to transatlantic relations.<\/b>
\nMore than half a dozen European countries warned in a joint statement on Sunday that tariff threats over Greenland undermine transatlantic relations as the White House seeks to pressure allies into a deal to acquire the Arctic island.
The statement, issued by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, said the countries remain committed to strengthening Arctic security and are prepared to engage in dialogue grounded in respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
\u00ab\u00a0Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response\u00a0\u00bb, the statement said in part. \u00ab\u00a0We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.\u00a0\u00bb
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members said they also stand in \u00ab\u00a0full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.\u00a0\u00bb
The statement comes after President Donald Trump threatened on his Truth Social platform to impose a 10% tariff on the eight countries unless a deal is reached for what he called the \u00ab\u00a0complete and total purchase of Greenland.\u00a0\u00bb
Trump said the 10% tariff would go into effect on Feb. 2 and could rise to 25% on June 1.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump\u2019s post Saturday on social media.
Kristersson wrote on X that allies would not be \u00ab\u00a0blackmailed.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland\u00a0\u00bb, he said, adding that other European Union (EU) countries were discussing a coordinated response.
Kaja Kallas, the EU\u2019s top diplomat, also voiced concern over Trump\u2019s remarks, warning that Russia and China were \u00ab\u00a0having a field day\u00a0\u00bb and stood to benefit from divisions within NATO.
\u00ab\u00a0If Greenland\u2019s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity\u00a0\u00bb, she said. \u00ab\u00a0We also cannot let our dispute distract us from our core task of helping to end Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.\u00a0\u00bb
Trump has repeatedly said the United States needs Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, for \u00ab\u00a0national security\u00a0\u00bb purposes.
Greenland\u2019s natural resource wealth has also long-drawn strategic interest, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a January report, noting the territory is rich in iron ore, graphite, tungsten, palladium, vanadium, zinc, gold, uranium, copper and oil.
Greenland\u2019s leaders, however, have firmly rejected any suggestion the territory\u2019s future or sovereignty is open to negotiation.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Facebook Thursday that the territory is \u00ab\u00a0not for sale\u00a0\u00bb and will not be owned or governed by the U.S.
\u00ab\u00a0Greenland does not want to be a part of the United States\u00a0\u00bb, Nielsen argued.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to \u00ab\u00a0seize\u00a0\u00bb the territory of an ally were \u00ab\u00a0beyond stupid.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0It hurts the legacy of President Trump and undercuts all the work he has done to strengthen the NATO alliance over the years\u00a0\u00bb, Tillis explained.<\/p>\n