US President Donald Trump has announced a 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries, citing their opposition to US control of Greenland as the reason for the move. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, Netherlands and Finland will be affected by the tariffs, which are set to start in February.
Trump claimed that he is using the tariffs as leverage to force talks with Denmark and other European countries over the status of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. He stated that if no deal is reached for "the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the US, the tariff rate will increase to 25% on June 1.
However, European leaders have rejected Trump's move, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen calling it a "surprise". The European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
The US already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement. However, resistance has built up in Europe to Trump's ambitions, with several countries agreeing to US tariffs last year in order to preserve an economic and security relationship with Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron compared the tariff threat to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, saying "no intimidation or threats will influence us". In contrast, Danish protesters held rallies in support of Greenland's self-governance, with one protester stating that "there are many small countries. None of them are for sale".
Trump has used tariffs as a tool to get what he wants without having to resort to military actions. He may do the same for Greenland, teasing the possibility of doing so again. However, his move has been met with criticism from lawmakers in the US and Denmark, who say that Congress must reclaim tariff authorities so that they are not used solely at a president's discretion.
Denmark has increased its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies, and Sen Chris Coons stated that there is "almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark".
Trump claimed that he is using the tariffs as leverage to force talks with Denmark and other European countries over the status of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. He stated that if no deal is reached for "the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the US, the tariff rate will increase to 25% on June 1.
However, European leaders have rejected Trump's move, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen calling it a "surprise". The European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
The US already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement. However, resistance has built up in Europe to Trump's ambitions, with several countries agreeing to US tariffs last year in order to preserve an economic and security relationship with Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron compared the tariff threat to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, saying "no intimidation or threats will influence us". In contrast, Danish protesters held rallies in support of Greenland's self-governance, with one protester stating that "there are many small countries. None of them are for sale".
Trump has used tariffs as a tool to get what he wants without having to resort to military actions. He may do the same for Greenland, teasing the possibility of doing so again. However, his move has been met with criticism from lawmakers in the US and Denmark, who say that Congress must reclaim tariff authorities so that they are not used solely at a president's discretion.
Denmark has increased its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies, and Sen Chris Coons stated that there is "almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark".