Washington’s actions “undermine transatlantic relations,” eight members have said, vowing a “coordinated” response
Several key European NATO members pushed back against US President Donald Trump in a joint statement on Sunday, accusing Washington of putting “transatlantic relations” at risk with his threat of tariffs over their position on Greenland.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland have said that their stance remains unchanged and vowed a “united and coordinated” response after Trump announced that he will impose a 10% levy on imports from the eight countries over their opposition to his plans to acquire the Danish autonomous territory.
“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty,” the joint declaration read, echoing a nearly identical statement voiced by top officials in Brussels the day before.
The affected European NATO nations said they were ready for a dialogue with Washington, as long as it is based on “the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
On Saturday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson denounced Trump’s move as “blackmail,” while French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariff threats “unacceptable.”
Trump has sought to bring Greenland under US control since his first term and has recently stepped up the effort, citing an alleged security threat posed by Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic. Both Moscow and Beijing have rejected the allegations.
The US president has repeatedly mocked the Danish military presence on Greenland, claiming that it is inadequate for the world’s largest island and quipping that it is only defended by “two dog sleds.”
Addressing his concerns, the eight nations sent between one and 15 military personnel in a symbolic act demonstrating their support for the island’s sovereignty. They insisted that the Danish-led exercise was “pre-coordinated” and “poses no threat to anyone.” Following the tariff threat, Germany announced the withdrawal of its troops.
The US president, however, has declared the tariffs would arrive as soon as February 1 and remain in place until a “complete and total purchase” of the Arctic island is achieved, and would further rise to 25% in June.
Both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have consistently and firmly asserted sovereignty, insisting that the island is not for sale.
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