Brussels, Belgium. European leaders pledged a unified response after US President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland. The move was described as an unprecedented escalation with potential to trigger a new trade war.
Tariff threat linked to Greenland
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said all products from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom would be subject to an additional 10% tariff starting February 1. He said the additional tariff could rise to 25% by June and would apply until “a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.”
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory belonging to Denmark. Earlier this week, the same group of countries said they would deploy a joint mission to the island, prompting what the article described as White House ire and retaliation in the form of new tariffs.
EU leaders cite sovereignty and transatlantic risks
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said EU leaders would stay “united, coordinated and committed” to upholding Europe’s sovereignty.
EU Council President António Costa said he would coordinate leaders in their response. Von der Leyen said tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a “dangerous downward spiral,” adding that Europe would remain united, coordinated and committed to upholding its sovereignty.
Trade context and uncertainty over implementation
Last summer, the EU and the US signed a deal that tripled duties on European products to 15% while lowering tariffs to zero on US industrial goods. Brussels said at the time the agreement, which included major EU concessions in favour of Washington, was the price to pay for US engagement in Ukraine and global stability.
It was not immediately clear how the tariffs announced Saturday would be stacked, but the threat of additional duties risks triggering a new trade war.
Commission role and potential targeting of countries
While the European Commission negotiates trade matters on behalf of the 27 member states and has exclusive competences over commerce, the White House could target individual countries by focusing on specific products and industries linked to those countries.
How do you think the threatened tariffs could affect trade relations between the EU and the United States?
