European leaders respond to US tariff threats ahead of emergency meeting
European leaders have condemned the US threat of import tariffs on countries who have sent troops to Greenland. The ambassadors of the member states will meet urgently on Sunday afternoon to discuss the situation.
Trump said on Saturday that he was imposing new tariffs, initially at 10 per cent and potentially rising to 25 per cent, on products from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland, until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland.
Belgian Foreign minister Maxime Prévot has called for dialogue on the issue. “We remain open to working together on security issues in a collective and non-hostile manner,” he wrote on X.
Belgium, which has decided to send one liaison officer to Greenland, is not currently targeted by the tariffs. Its decision to send the officer came after the other countries.
European leaders have condemned the American move. “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law,” the presidents of the European Commission and Council said in a joint statement.
“They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole. Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty.”
The meeting between EU officials will take place on Sunday at 17.00.
"Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral"
In the European Parliament, conservatives EPP, the social democrats and liberals Renew have announced that they are temporarily suspending approval of the trade agreement between the US and the EU. The deal was concluded last summer but has not yet been ratified by Parliament.
“The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage,” Manfred Weber, leader of the right wing in the European Parliament, wrote on X. “The 0 per cent tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold.”
The liberals and social democrats are also calling for the use of the “anti-coercion instrument”, which offers the EU a range of options for responding when one of its members is under pressure from a third country.
“China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies,” Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for Foreign Affairs, posted on X.
Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister of Trade, is “astonished” by European reactions, she wrote on LinkedIn.
“We live in extraordinary times that calls not only on decency but also great courage,” she said. “I am amazed to witness the first responses from the targeted countries. I am thankful and hopeful for diplomacy and allieship to prevail.”
"We live in extraordinary times that calls not only on decency but also great courage"
Trump’s threats against countries opposing the annexation of Greenland are “unacceptable”, French president Emmanuel Macron said, promising a “united” response from Europeans.
Danish Foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he was “surprised” by the decision. “The purpose of the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is to enhance security in the Arctic,” Rasmussen told AFP.
On Wednesday, he had a meeting with Greenland’s Foreign minister and the US vice president and secretary of state. He is due to visit London on Monday.
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson says Sweden will not be “blackmailed”. “Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland,” he wrote on X. “I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbours. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now being singled out.”
He added that Sweden was in intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the UK.
"China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies"
British prime minister Keir Starmer called Trump’s threats “completely wrong”, and said the UK would be "pursuing this directly with the US administration”.
“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.”
People attend a demonstration against US actions in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland © PHOTO ANDERS KONGSHAUG / XINHUA
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