Trump Imposes Tariffs On UK, France, Others Over Greenland Bid

…EU, Starmer, Macron, Others React

President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on several European countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, for allegedly opposing America’s bid to take control of Greenland.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face a 10% tariff on all goods exported to the United States from February 1, 2026.

He added that the tariff would rise to 25% from June 1, 2026.

According to Trump, the tariffs would remain in place “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States.

He argued that Greenland is vital to US and global security, claiming that rival powers China and Russia will take the region if the United States fails to do so.

“It is time for Denmark to give back, World Peace is at stake,” Trump wrote, insisting that only the US can guarantee security in the region.

He also warned that European Union were “playing a very dangerous game” in its
military deployments to Greenland earlier this week.

The announcement has so far stirred reactions across Europe.

In a joint statement, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs would “undermine relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.

They stressed that “territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law”.

The EU leaders said recent European troop and naval deployments to Greenland were part of efforts to strengthen Arctic security and “pose no threat to anyone”.

They added that the EU stands “in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland” and called for continued dialogue with the United States.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also rejected Trump’s position, saying Greenland’s future “is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes”.

He noted that Arctic security is a shared concern for NATO but said imposing tariffs on allies for pursuing collective security was “completely wrong”.

“We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration,” Starmer said.

Also reacting to the development, French President Emmanuel Macron, declared that France would not be intimidated by tariff threats.

He said France’s participation in Danish-led military exercises in Greenland was justified by the need to protect Arctic and European security.

“No intimidation or threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else,” Macron said, adding that any confirmed tariffs would be met with a “united and coordinated” European response.

The Netherlands, one of the countries targeted, said it had “taken note” of the proposed 10% tariffs.

Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel said his country was in close contact with other EU members and stressed that military exercises in Greenland were aimed solely at maintaining Arctic security.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also dismissed Trump’s threats, saying Sweden would not allow itself to be “blackmailed”.

He emphasised that decisions about Greenland rest only with Denmark and Greenland, adding that Sweden was holding intensive talks with EU partners, Norway and the UK on a joint response.

The tariff threat comes despite a trade agreement reached between the US and the EU last July, when Trump agreed to a 15% tariff on EU goods, down from an earlier proposed 30%, while maintaining a 50% tariff on steel and aluminium.

Under that deal, the EU also agreed to lower tariffs on some US exports.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States must acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using force, although he has also suggested a purchase.

His position has been firmly rejected by Greenland’s leaders and by Denmark, a NATO ally, which says the island is not for sale.