Donald Trump’s decision to hit European allies with a wave of rising tariffs over the Greenland issue stunned the world on Saturday, with leaders and netizens coming down hard on the US president for his erratic policy decisions.
“Beginning February 1, 2026, all of the above countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland) will be charged a 10% tariff on all goods shipped to the United States of America. On June 1, 2026, the tariff will be increased to 25%. This tariff will be due until this full and complete purchase is due. Greenland (sic),” Trump said in post on Truth Social and launched a tariff attack on US European allies.
Before Trump made the announcement at the Truth Social, there was no warning from official channels to Washington’s European allies and NATO partners, CBS News reported, citing European diplomats, which served to heighten the shock value of the announcement.
The tariffs also come after talks between Danish and US officials earlier this week saw Denmark reject a “narrative” that Russian and Chinese warships were free to circle Greenland, with Danish intelligence saying no Chinese warship had been seen in the area in more than a decade.
The countries targeted by the new wave of tariffs – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK – are all already subject to the tariffs imposed by Trump and reacted with shock and defiance to the US president’s announcement.
“Dear Donnie, this doesn’t work anymore” – netizens react
While European leaders have pushed back diplomatically, netizens have been a little less reticent.
British TV personality Piers Morgan, who attacked Trump over his announcement, harkened back to history, mockingly writing: “Britain should buy back America. After all, it was once ours and it would strengthen our North Atlantic security. If you don’t sell it to us, President Trump, will we impose tariffs on the US and any country that supports you in opposing this very good deal?”
Meanwhile, businessman Brian Krassenstein called Trump a dictator, saying: “Trump is now threatening to impose his (probably illegal) tariffs on countries that don’t agree with his illegal attempt to take over Greenland. That’s what dictators (sic) do.”
Many of the comments directed at Trump compared him to a dictator, with one netizen calling America under the current administration just another version of North Korea.
“You’re embarrassing yourself,” wrote one user on X, adding: “1. US, Denmark, Sweden, UK, France, Netherlands, Germany et al are part of NATO. For global security. 2. Greenland has been Danish territory for 650 years (US is 249 years) 3. Neither Russia nor China have inquired (sic) about Greenland.”
“Donald Trump should apply all tariffs. Discourage us from doing business with the US even more. Have your hermit kingdom. North Korea v2.0,” another user wrote.
“Trump is making a chess move here. Once the purchase is complete, the next move will be Gerard Butler telling us the world is about to end and we need to get to Greenland asap (sic),” joked another, referring to the popular Hollywood action film Greenland (2020).
“Within an hour Trump says he’s suing JP Morgan and imposing heavy tariffs on Europe until we buy Greenland. Someone needs to take his phone away,” another user wrote.
Meanwhile, Peter Schiff, chief economist at Europac, said: “Trump has it the other way around. The US is not subsidizing the world, the world is subsidizing the US The dollar’s status as a reserve currency allows us to live above our means. Rising debt, tariffs and military threats threaten that status. When it is lost, economic collapse will follow.”
Canadian users, meanwhile, suggested that Trump’s erratic moves were pushing Ottawa more toward China.
“Dear Donnie, like… this just isn’t working anymore. We’ve moved on. China is like our new BFF now. 49,000 Chinese electric cars, 6.1% tariffs. Canola tariffs dropped from 84% to 15%. Anyway… Don’t text anymore. Delete our number. Forever. We’re so over you.,” the user wrote.
“The crazier Trump gets – wild tariffs, trade tantrums, 51st state threats – the more Canada shines as the calm, stable, reliable trading partner everyone else wants to deal with instead. Bullish Canada,” wrote another user from the US’s northern neighbor.