In a strong display of solidarity, European leaders have firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on several allies, including Denmark, over the issue of Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has made it clear that “Europe won’t be blackmailed,” emphasising the importance of upholding the fundamental values that underpin the European community.
Trump’s insistence that Greenland is critical for US security and his refusal to rule out taking the autonomous Danish territory by force have drawn widespread criticism. The countries targeted by the potential tariffs – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK – have issued a joint statement, warning that Trump’s plan risks a “dangerous downward spiral” and undermines transatlantic relations.
The statement reiterates that the European nations “stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” and are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. Frederiksen has also taken to social media, stating that “we want to cooperate and we are not the ones seeking conflict.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has echoed these sentiments, telling Trump that applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO is “wrong.” Starmer has held phone conversations with Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to coordinate a united response.
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Berson, has argued that Greenland can only be effectively defended if it is part of the United States, a notion firmly rejected by European leaders. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has stressed that mutual respect for sovereignty is the “non-negotiable” core principle of international law and cooperation.
As the World Economic Forum in Davos approaches, where Trump is scheduled to speak on the theme of “how can we cooperate in a more contested world,” the European response to his Greenland threats will be closely watched. Canada has also expressed concern over the recent escalation and is “significantly increasing Arctic security.”
The public in both Denmark and Greenland has reacted with anger to Trump’s rhetoric, with demonstrations held in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk and Danish cities. A recent poll suggests that most Americans also oppose US control of Greenland, with only 17% supporting Trump’s push to acquire the island.
