US Senator Bernie Sanders on Saturday criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on eight NATO allies in response to their support for Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland. Sanders attacked the president for jeopardizing long-standing international partnerships in his pursuit of Greenland and called on Congress to step in and block any such action.
“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 in a statement.
The senator’s remarks come at a time of rising tensions between the United States and several European nations after Trump threatened in February to impose tariffs starting at 10 percent, rising to 25 percent by June, if the U.S. cannot acquire Danish Arctic territory.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, also condemned Trump’s tariff threats against Greenland.
What did Trump say?
Trump said on Saturday that starting in February, several European countries would face 10 percent tariffs, which are set to rise to 25 percent on June 1 until they get Greenland. It said the tariffs would hit Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
“These countries playing this very dangerous game have introduced a level of risk that is not sustainable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that strong action be taken to protect global peace and security to end this potentially dangerous situation quickly and without question,” Trump said.
He said the US has long subsidized Denmark and other European Union countries by not imposing tariffs or demanding other forms of compensation. He went on to say that the time had come for Denmark to repay this support, claiming that global peace was at risk. According to him, China and Russia are seeking control over Greenland and Denmark is powerless to stop them.
Trump ended his statement by saying that the US is ready to open negotiations with Denmark or any of these countries, which he claims have “taken so much risk”, despite the protection and support that the US has given them for many decades.