European powers warned on Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on Greenland raised the risk of a “dangerous downward spiral” as they weighed their response to the escalating crisis.
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement that trade threats linked to Trump’s bid to take control of Greenland would “undermine trans-Atlantic relations.”
The eight countries, all NATO members, reiterated their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and said dialogue was the way to resolve differences.
“We will stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to maintaining our sovereignty,” they said in a joint statement.
Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 10% tariff on the countries’ goods from February 1, rising from 1 to 25% unless a solution is reached to his satisfaction, which would be a “full and total buyout” of Greenland.
Those countries’ militaries have sent troops to Greenland in recent days on a Danish-led reconnaissance mission aimed at bolstering security around Greenland, although Berlin said on Sunday it had withdrawn its troops.
Trump reacted angrily to the deployment, writing in the same Truth social post announcing the tariffs that the troops had “travelled to Greenland for unknown purposes.”
Trump has repeatedly said Washington needs to control Greenland to better protect it from Chinese and Russian threats.
“As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared trans-Atlantic interest,” the eight countries said in their joint statement.
Denmark is determined
The Arctic island is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and therefore also part of NATO.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen slammed Trump on Sunday, saying Europe could not bow to pressure. “We are not the ones seeking this conflict,” Frederiksen told the Danish news agency Ritzau.
“Europe cannot be blackmailed,” she said.
“The state of Denmark is getting great support,” Frederiksen said. “At the same time, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this is an issue that extends far beyond our own borders.”
Representatives of the European Union’s 27 member states are due to meet in an emergency session later on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Denmark is intensifying diplomatic talks with its European allies. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen will travel to Oslo on Sunday, then visit London and Stockholm this week, with Arctic security and the Greenland dispute high on the agenda.
Macron’s countermeasures are ready
In France, President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to pursue a strong European response, French presidential sources said.
Macron has been in touch with his European counterparts and will seek to formally trigger the European Union’s anti-corruption instrument, which allows the bloc to impose countermeasures while using economic pressure to force political decisions.
Macron is coordinating the European response to what Paris described as Trump’s “unacceptable threat” and believes Washington’s approach also calls into question the legitimacy of a tentative EU-US tariff deal reached last year, the sources said.
That deal, which still needs approval from the European Parliament, would see most European goods face a 15% US tariff, while tariffs on US industrial products would be scrapped.
Germany’s Wadeful said the tariffs would not affect NATO
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadefühl said in a televised interview on Sunday that he sees no impact on NATO’s military unity in the current tariff dispute with the United States.
“There is no doubt that the United States is fully committed to the defense of the alliance, NATO and Europe,” Wadeful told the public broadcaster’s “Report from Berlin” program.
“No one in Washington has ever questioned that.”
He said that people in Europe should not discuss such questions and work together in a strong alliance.
Rutte will meet with Trump in Davos
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke with US President Donald Trump about the growing conflict between the US and Europe over Greenland, Rutte said in a post on Sunday X.
The two “talked about the security situation in Greenland and the Arctic,” the NATO chief wrote.
“We will continue to work on it, and I look forward to meeting him in Davos later this week,” he added.
The World Economic Forum opens Monday in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Trump is expected to attend on Wednesday.
Meloni of Italy as mediator?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned of escalation on Sunday.
Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Meloni described the dispute as a communication problem and said the NATO mission should not be interpreted as “anti-American”.
Meloni, who believes European leaders have relatively good access to Trump, said she spoke directly with him on the phone. “At this stage, it’s very important to talk to each other,” she said.
Italy is not directly affected by the tariff threat and is not participating in the Danish-led mission.
But Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, sees his country’s role.
“I believe that Italy, because of its nature, its mediation skills and its ability to talk to everyone, can play a positive role.
Looking for deals,” he said on Sunday, warning of a trade war.
“There is no need for a trade war or conflict. We need dialogue and find a solution that does not harm anyone,” he said.
Germany supports a coordinated European response
In Germany, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingebel said Berlin would not be intimidated.
“We will not be intimidated – not by tariffs, not by words, not by threats. We must be clear about it, calm but clear,” Klingbiel said, adding that Europe was “blackmailed.”
“We are now coordinating very closely with our European partners. And there will be a European response to this threat and yesterday’s announcement,” he added. “This is where we draw the line.”
