U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the use of tariffs against partners pursuing collective defense objectives conflicts with long-standing alliance principles. French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the measure as unacceptable and pledged a coordinated response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa issued a joint statement of solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland, adding that the bloc remains open to further dialogue.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the threat as unexpected, noting that Danish and Greenlandic representatives held what he called a constructive meeting in Washington last week with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That round of talks ended without a breakthrough, but officials on all sides said discussions would continue.
In Helsinki, Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged restraint, arguing that punitive duties would harm both economies and political ties. Stubb, who maintains a working relationship with Trump, reiterated European support for Denmark’s sovereignty and called for solutions through negotiation rather than pressure tactics.
Brussels scheduled an emergency meeting for 16:00 p.m. London time on Sunday to shape the collective response. According to diplomats, options under review include reciprocal tariffs, a formal dispute at the World Trade Organization and joint investment measures designed to offset potential economic losses.
The dispute escalated after Trump revived interest this month in buying Greenland, citing U.S. national security concerns. He argues that American control of the mineral-rich island would block Russia and China from expanding their Arctic presence. Both Moscow and Beijing have dismissed the initiative as a pretext for unilateral gain.
Greenland’s government, which enjoys significant self-rule while remaining part of the Danish realm, has repeatedly rejected the idea of any sale. Public surveys indicate that many Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Copenhagen but do not wish to become part of the United States. On Saturday, demonstrators in the capital, Nuuk, carried placards opposing Trump’s plan as they gathered near the U.S. Consulate. Organizers estimated that nearly one-third of the city’s population participated.
This is not the first time Trump has floated the possibility of purchasing Greenland. A similar overture in 2019 was rebuffed by Denmark, and relations cooled temporarily. The current proposal marks the first occasion on which the White House has linked the acquisition to explicit trade penalties against European partners.
European trade experts say the threatened schedule—10 percent in early February rising to 25 percent by June—would affect a wide range of products, from industrial machinery and pharmaceuticals to consumer goods. Economists warn that retaliatory measures could trigger a downward spiral reminiscent of earlier tariff exchanges that disrupted global supply chains.
Neither the White House nor the U.S. Trade Representative provided details about the legal basis for compelling the sale of foreign territory through commercial sanctions. Analysts note that Greenland’s status as an autonomous region under Danish sovereignty complicates any potential transaction, and international law offers limited precedent for such an arrangement.
As diplomatic channels work to defuse tensions, European leaders continue to emphasize unity. Officials in Brussels and national capitals reiterated that territorial integrity and sovereignty remain non-negotiable principles. With the clock ticking toward the February deadline, attention now centers on whether back-channel talks can prevent the proposed duties from taking effect and avert a broader trade confrontation between historic allies.
Crédito da imagem: Getty Images
