European leaders meet as trade tensions rise over Greenland dispute
The European Union is preparing possible countermeasures after Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on European countries opposing his proposal to take control of Greenland. European leaders warned that the move could seriously harm transatlantic relations and destabilise existing trade agreements.
European Leaders Condemn Tariff Threats as Economic Pressure
Leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands issued a joint statement rejecting the use of tariffs as political leverage. They said such threats undermine national sovereignty and risk triggering a damaging cycle of retaliation between long-standing allies. EU officials stressed that trade policy should not be used to force territorial or political concessions.
Emergency Talks Held as EU Reviews Counter-Tariffs
Senior diplomats from the EU’s 27 member states met in emergency talks on Sunday to discuss potential responses. Among the options under review is the reactivation of counter-tariffs targeting up to €93bn worth of US goods. These measures were previously prepared during earlier trade tensions but were suspended after a trade agreement was reached last summer.
French president Emmanuel Macron called on EU partners to consider deploying the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument if the US follows through on the tariff threat. The legal tool would allow the EU to impose wide-ranging economic penalties on countries attempting to influence policy through trade pressure. So far, the mechanism has never been used.
Trump Links Tariffs to Greenland Purchase Demand
Trump announced that tariffs would begin at 10% from 1 February and rise to 25% by June unless a deal is reached allowing the United States to acquire Greenland. He accused European countries of escalating tensions by increasing their military presence in the Arctic region. Several nations said the deployments were defensive and focused on regional security.
Nato Unity Tested by Growing Greenland Dispute
The dispute has raised concerns within NATO, with officials warning that internal pressure between allies could weaken the alliance. European leaders said Arctic security should be handled through Nato cooperation rather than trade threats. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez warned that any move against Greenland would benefit Russia and undermine Western unity.
EU Warns of Broader Impact on Trade and Security
EU leaders, including Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, warned that tariffs would damage both economies and distract from shared priorities such as supporting Ukraine. Germany said it remains open to dialogue but would not accept intimidation. European officials said preparations are now underway for a coordinated response if the tariffs are imposed.
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