European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has cautioned against Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries, after the US president said the measures would remain in place until an agreement is reached allowing the US to purchase Greenland.
Mr Trump said that from 1 February, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland would face a 10% levy on all goods exported to the United States, according to a post on his Truth Social platform, reports RTE.
He added that the tariffs would then rise to 25% from 1 June.
Responding to the threat, Ms von der Leyen said: “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” she wrote in a post on social media, reports RTE.
“Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” she said, reports RTE.
Ambassadors from the European Union’s 27 member states will meet tomorrow for emergency talks following Mr Trump’s latest warning.
Cyprus, which currently holds the EU’s six-month rotating presidency, said it had called the meeting, with diplomats confirming it is scheduled to begin at 5pm, reports RTE.
In a joint statement, Ms von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said: “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law,” reports RTE.
“They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.
“We have consistently underlined our shared transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, including through NATO.
“The pre-coordinated Danish exercise, conducted with allies, responds to the need to strengthen Arctic security and poses no threat to anyone,” they said, reports RTE.
“The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US. Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty,” they added, reports RTE.
US tariffs on European allies damage prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic and benefit China and Russia, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
“China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies,” Mr Kallas said in a post on X, reports RTE.
“Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO,” he added, reports RTE.
In a statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes,” reports RTE.
“We have also made clear that Arctic Security matters for the whole of NATO and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic,” he said, reports RTE.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration,” reports RTE.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the proposed Greenland tariffs would negatively impact Britain, reports RTE.
“We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t. These tariffs will hurt us,” he said, reports RTE.
“If Greenland is vulnerable to malign influences, then have another look at Diego Garcia,” reports RTE.
French President Emmanuel Macron said threats linked to Greenland were unacceptable and warned Europe would respond collectively if they were enacted, reports RTE.
“No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations,” Mr Macron said on X, reports RTE.
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson dismissed Mr Trump’s threat of steep tariffs if European states did not allow the acquisition of Greenland. “We won’t let ourselves be intimidated,” he said, reports RTE.
“Only Denmark and Greenland decide questions that concern them. I will always defend my country and our allied neighbours,” he added, stressing that this was “a European question”, reports RTE.
“Sweden is currently having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom to find a joint response,” he added.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said tariffs would benefit no one and would damage both the US and Europe, reports RTE.
Issues among allies are resolved through discussion, says Finland
Writing on social media, he said: “Finland’s position is that issues among allies are resolved through discussion and shared rules, not by creating pressure. The United States has raised concerns related to the Arctic region. Arctic security is an important issue for Finland,” reports RTE.
“Finland wants to strengthen Arctic security together with all allies, while respecting the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
“I understand the concerns of Finns. Tariffs would be harmful to both Europe and the United States. They are in no-one’s interest.
“We are working closely with our European partners and allies. We are ensuring the security of Finland and Finns.”
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said threats were unacceptable between allies and reaffirmed Norway’s position on Greenland, reports RTE.
“Threats have no place among allies. Norway’s position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he wrote, reports RTE.
“Norway fully supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. There is broad agreement in NATO on the need to strengthen security in the Arctic, including in Greenland,” reports RTE.
Labour TD George Lawlor said the EU “cannot give in to this latest round of bullying, and attempts at extortion”, reports RTE.
“Ireland and the EU must prepare for the risk of a chronic breakdown of relations with the United States and ensure measures are in place to support businesses and workers.
“The Irish government must now clarify what contingency plans and measures are in place in the event of a hard break with the US,” said Mr Lawlor, reports RTE.
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