Washington: In a sweeping move affecting major transatlantic trade, US President Donald Trump has declared that, beginning February 1, a 10% tariff will be imposed on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Trump added that the tariff rate could rise to 25% as early as June 1 unless the countries agree to concessions sought by the US.
In a post on X, which was shared by the White House, Trump tied this tariff decision to his long-standing effort to highlight Greenland’s strategic importance – a Danish territory whose future he has repeatedly discussed – even as Greenland’s local government has firmly stated it is not for sale. By linking trade restrictions to geopolitical demands, Trump’s move departed from traditional trade policy practices and quickly drew global attention.
Meanwhile, European leaders reacted firmly to the announcement, defending sovereignty and long-standing alliances:
In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the tariff threat as unacceptable, stressing that economic pressure should not be used to influence matters of territorial governance or international relations. In a post on X, Macron emphasised that cooperation among democratic nations must be rooted in respect and shared values.
In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariff plan as completely unjustified and urged that disputes be resolved through diplomacy rather than economic coercion. Starmer reaffirmed that decisions regarding Greenland and its people lie solely with Denmark and Greenland, not external economic pressures.
Political leaders from the Netherlands condemned the tariffs as destabilising, arguing that linking trade with unrelated geopolitical demands undermines trust among long-standing allies. Other affected nations echoed calls for dialogue within established international frameworks and reaffirmed their commitment to fair trade practices.
Separately, across northern Europe, citizens took to the streets in protest, according to reports. Demonstrators in Copenhagen and elsewhere in Denmark carried signs opposing the idea that Greenland could be treated as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Speakers at rallies emphasised respect for national sovereignty and the right of Greenlanders to determine their own path.
In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, many residents expressed strong opposition to the notion that their homeland’s future could be influenced by external economic policy. “Greenland is not for sale,” became a unifying message among local leaders and grassroots groups.
Protesters in major European capitals also voiced broader concerns about economic coercion and the implications of using trade policy to influence political outcomes among allied nations.
