In a joint statement issued on Sunday, eight European countries targeted by the proposed tariffs said they stood “in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory at the centre of the dispute
European leaders have criticised United States President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on countries opposing his bid to take control of Greenland, warning that such actions could trigger a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic relations.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, eight European countries targeted by the proposed tariffs said they stood “in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory at the centre of the dispute.
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said they were ready to engage in dialogue grounded in respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles they said were non-negotiable.
The countries warned that tariff threats would undermine transatlantic ties and pledged to remain united and coordinated in their response, stressing their commitment to defending national sovereignty.
The statement came as European officials prepared for emergency talks aimed at coordinating a response to Trump’s escalating pressure campaign over Greenland.
European Council President António Costa said the European Union was united in upholding sovereignty and prepared to defend itself against “any form of coercion” ahead of an extraordinary meeting of member states expected in the coming days.
EU officials are expected to consider a range of countermeasures, including retaliatory tariffs and market restrictions targeting US companies.
Trump announced on Saturday that the eight countries would face a 10 percent tariff from February 1, rising to 25 percent from June 1, unless an agreement is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland.
The Financial Times reported that the EU is weighing tariffs on up to €93 billion ($108 billion) worth of US goods, along with possible activation of the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, a powerful trade mechanism adopted in 2023 that has never been used.
The instrument allows for broad measures, including restrictions on investment and the suspension of intellectual property protections for foreign companies operating in the EU.
German lawmaker Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, called for its immediate activation, saying it was designed specifically for situations like this.
Trump’s continued insistence on acquiring Greenland has strained US-European relations to their lowest point in decades and raised concerns about the future of NATO.
The US president has not ruled out the use of military force to seize the territory and has dismissed fears that the dispute could fracture the 32-member alliance.
In a social media post early on Monday, Trump reiterated his determination to bring Greenland under US control, claiming Denmark had failed to address alleged Russian threats to the territory.
French President Emmanuel Macron rejected any attempt at intimidation, saying threats and pressure would not influence France’s position.
“Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” Macron said in a social media statement.
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