Seven European countries face President Donald Trump’s wrath for not supporting his takeover of Greenland, with the president announcing he would impose a new 10% tariff if a deal isn’t reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.
The U.S. currently has a trade framework agreement with the European Union capping tariffs at 15% and an agreement with the United Kingdom capping tariffs on imports at 10%. The E.U. is America’s largest trading partner and its largest source of imports.
Countries affected would be Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
Trump said the duties would increase to 25% if a deal is not reached by June 1.
The announcement of increased tariffs comes as the Trump administration battles widespread cost-ofliving issues facing consumers in the U.S. since tariffs drive the cost up on products in the U.S. Trump added to his threat that “Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that.”
Last week, European troops began arriving in Greenland in a show of support for the island territory, which is part of Denmark. Leaders from the NATO countries warned in a joint statement that the tariff threats 'undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,' adding, 'We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.'
Trump stated that the joint security exercises around Greenland between Denmark and European allies are dangerous, with those countries saying the exercises pose no threat and, 'As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest.'
Trump has continued a sharp escalation of verbal hostility in recent weeks between the U.S. and its closest European allies and any direct confrontation would undo 70 years of security and stability in the Atlantic.
The chairman of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, Bernd Lange, called the new tariffs “unbelievable,” and said he would be calling for the European Parliament to suspend work on implementing the U.S.-E.U. trade deal “until U.S. ends its threats.” He also said the E.U.’s so-called “trade bazooka,” formally called the Anti-Coercion Instrument,” must now be used.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong.” Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson in a statement said, 'We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland.'
French president Emmanuel Macron said 'no intimidation nor threat will influence us,' adding that 'tariff threats are unacceptable.'
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters Friday after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “it’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”
Rasmussen said he told the Trump administration that “this is not in the interest of the kingdom.”
Some U.S. Senators have spoken out on the Trump administration’s threats, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, posting on X, 'These tariffs are unnecessary, punitive, and a profound mistake.”
Sen. Thom Tillis posted on X that, 'This response to our own allies for sending a small number of troops to Greenland for training is bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America's allies.”
Sens. Jeanne Shaneen and Tillis in a bipartisan statement, said, 'Continuing down this path is bad for America, bad for American businesses and bad for America’s allies. This kind of rhetoric also further helps adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided. Our allies deserve better, and so do the American people who have made their opposition to this flawed policy resoundingly clear,' the two senators continued. 'At a time when many Americans are already concerned about the cost of living, these tariffs would raise prices for both families and businesses.'
Tariffs on the U.K. and E.U. have been applied using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court is set to rule any day on whether that law grants Trump the authority to impose his country-specific tariffs.