Tensions between the United States and European countries over Greenland have continued to escalate. European leaders have strongly rejected President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on Europe should they oppose his plan to acquire Greenland, calling the ultimatum misguided and unacceptable.

On Saturday (January 17, 2026), Trump announced that eight European allies would face higher tariffs—starting at 10% on February 1, 2026, and rising to 25% by June 1, 2026—if no agreement is reached allowing Washington to purchase Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said exports from eight NATO member states to the US would be subject to increased tariffs until a complete deal on Greenland is secured. The countries named include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.

European leaders swiftly condemned the move. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that imposing tariffs on allies in pursuit of collective NATO security was entirely wrong. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the criticism, warning that Europe would respond in a united and coordinated manner to defend its sovereignty.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa expressed full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. The EU also pledged to continue dialogue, despite recent talks between Denmark, Greenland, and senior US officials ending without diplomatic progress.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the tariff threat came as a surprise, especially following what he described as constructive meetings with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In response, the EU convened an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon, according to Reuters.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged calm and continued negotiations, cautioning that additional tariffs would be damaging and could undermine transatlantic relations. He stressed that disputes among allies should be resolved through dialogue rather than economic pressure.

Denmark and neighboring European states have repeatedly sought to block Trump’s ambition to acquire Greenland, particularly after he suggested earlier this month that all options—including military force—were on the table. Trump has argued that control of Greenland is vital to US national security to prevent Russia and China from gaining influence, a claim both Moscow and Beijing have rejected.

Greenland has consistently dismissed Trump’s overtures. While many Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark, opinion polls show that most do not want to become part of the United States. This stance was reinforced during protests in Nuuk, where demonstrators reiterated the island’s position that Greenland is not for sale.