European leaders warn Trump tariffs over Greenland 'risk a dangerous downward spiral'

More than fractional a twelve European countries warned successful a associated connection connected Sunday that tariff threats implicit Greenland undermine transatlantic relations arsenic the White House seeks to unit allies into a woody to get the Arctic island.

The statement, issued by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, said the countries stay committed to strengthening Arctic information and are prepared to prosecute successful dialog grounded successful respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and hazard a unsafe downward spiral. We volition proceed to basal agreed and coordinated successful our response," the connection said successful part. "We are committed to upholding our sovereignty."

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members said they besides basal successful "full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the radical of Greenland."

JOHNSON: 'NO BOOTS ON THE GROUND' FOR TRUMP'S GREENLAND ACQUISITION PLANS AMID MILITARY SPECULATION

Soldiers walk the Arktisk Kommando, the Danish Armed Forces’ Arctic Command, successful Nuuk, Greenland, connected Jan. 15, 2026. (Julia Wäschenbach/picture confederation via Getty Images)

The connection comes aft President Donald Trump threatened connected his Truth Social level to enforce a 10% tariff connected the 8 countries unless a woody is reached for what helium called the "complete and full acquisition of Greenland."

Trump said the 10% tariff would spell into effect connected Feb. 2 and could emergence to 25% connected June 1. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump’s station Saturday connected societal media.

Kristersson wrote connected X that allies would not beryllium "blackmailed."

"Only Denmark and Greenland determine connected issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," helium said, adding that different European Union (EU) countries were discussing a coordinated response.

Young radical transportation placards speechmaking "Greenland is not for sale!" during a ample protestation against U.S. President Donald Trump’s connection to get Greenland, adjacent the U.S. Consulate successful Nuuk, Greenland, connected Jan. 17, 2026. (Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP via Getty Images)

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s apical diplomat, besides voiced interest implicit Trump’s remarks, informing that Russia and China were "having a tract day" and stood to payment from divisions wrong NATO.

"If Greenland’s information is astatine risk, we tin code this wrong NATO. Tariffs hazard making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity," she said. "We besides cannot fto our quality distract america from our halfway task of helping to extremity Russia’s warfare against Ukraine."

Trump has repeatedly said the United States needs Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, for "national security" purposes.

Greenland’s earthy assets wealthiness has besides long-drawn strategical interest, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said successful a January report, noting the territory is affluent successful robust ore, graphite, tungsten, palladium, vanadium, zinc, gold, uranium, copper and oil.

TRUMP KNOWS GOOD REAL ESTATE — AND HE KNOWS GREENLAND'S VALUE TO NATIONAL SECURITY

Houses are seen successful the colony of Narsaq, Greenland, connected June 24, 2009. (Rafael Bastante/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Greenland’s leaders, however, person firmly rejected immoderate proposition the territory’s aboriginal oregon sovereignty is unfastened to negotiation.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said connected Facebook Thursday that the territory is "not for sale" and volition not beryllium owned oregon governed by the U.S.

DENMARK'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TRUMP HAS A POINT ON CHINA, RUSSIA THREAT TO GREENLAND

"Greenland does not privation to beryllium a portion of the United States," Nielsen argued.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joins a wide objection against President Donald Trump’s connection to get Greenland, successful Nuuk, Greenland, connected Jan. 17, 2026. (Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP via Getty Images)

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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the Trump administration’s efforts to "seize" the territory of an state were "beyond stupid."

"It hurts the bequest of President Trump and undercuts each the enactment helium has done to fortify the NATO confederation implicit the years," Tillis explained.