Donald Trump’s decision to suddenly announce a wave of rising tariffs on America’s European allies over the issue of Greenland drew widespread condemnation from the bloc’s leaders, with most calling the action unacceptable and vowing to stand behind the Arctic island amid the US president’s ambitions to annex it.
On Saturday, Trump announced 10% additional tariffs on eight European powers – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK – that already face tariffs from the US.
“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 (sic),” the US president’s statement on the Truth Social website reads.
Trump also threatened to raise tariffs if Greenland does not come under US control: “On June 1, 2026, the tariff will be increased to 25%. This tariff will be due and payable until an agreement is reached to fully and completely purchase Greenland (sic),” the US president warned.
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“We will not be blackmailed”
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron called the US president’s move “unacceptable”, saying: “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner if they are confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is preserved.”
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also condemned the move and promised solidarity with Greenland under increasing pressure from Trump.
“Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated and committed to asserting its sovereignty,” von der Leyen added.
Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson issued a strongly worded statement warning the US against blackmailing its allies.
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“We will not be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country and our allied neighbours. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those currently being singled out. Sweden is now in intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the UK for a coordinated response,” Kristersson wrote in a post on X.
While Denmark’s prime minister had not commented at the time of writing, the country’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said he was “surprised” by the Trump administration’s move and suggested that the purpose of the recent European mission to Greenland was to “strengthen security in the Arctic,” as suggested by the White House.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also jumped to the defense of European allies, saying London would take the issue directly to Washington.
“We’ve also made it clear that security in the Arctic is important for all of NATO and allies to all work together to address the threat from Russia in different parts of the Arctic,” Starmer said on X.
“Applying tariffs to allies in order to promote the collective security of NATO allies is absolutely wrong. We will, of course, deal with it directly with the American administration,” he added.
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Trump faces pushback at home
As Trump’s announcement made headlines around the world, the US president predictably faced harsh criticism from his political opponents in the US.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime critic of Trump, called on Congress to limit the powers of the US president.
“Trump is raising tariffs on 8 NATO allies because they rightly support Denmark’s sovereignty in Greenland. Destroying our closest alliances to occupy Greenland – which Denmark already allows us to use freely – is insane. Congress must say NO,” Sanders said.
“Troops from European countries are coming to Greenland to defend territory from us. Let it sink. And now Trump is putting tariffs on our allies, so he’s making you pay more to try to get territory we don’t need. The damage this president is doing to our reputation and our relationships is growing, making us less safe. If something doesn’t change, we’re going to have to stand up to the enemies of the GOP and the Senate on every front. Kelly.
But it was not only Democrats who opposed the American president, and some Republican lawmakers also called on members of the Republican Party to oppose Trump.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, one of only two Republicans, along with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who recently participated in a congressional delegation to Denmark, called Trump’s decision harmful to America.
“This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for America’s allies. It’s great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see NATO split,” Tillis wrote.
“The fact that a small handful of ‘advisors’ are actively pushing for coercive action to seize ally territory is beyond stupid. It damages President Trump’s legacy and undermines all the work he has done over the years to strengthen the NATO alliance,” the senator added.
Murkowski echoed Tillis’ sentiment, calling Trump’s latest tariffs “unnecessary, punitive and deeply wrong.”
“We are already seeing the consequences of these measures in real time: our NATO allies are being forced to divert attention and resources to Greenland, a dynamic that plays right into Putin’s hands by threatening the stability of the strongest coalition of democracies the world has ever seen,” Murkowski wrote.
“Congress must work together to reassert our constitutional authority over tariffs so that they are not weaponized in ways that damage our alliances and undermine American leadership,” the senator added.