US President Donald Trump has threatened eight countries, including Sweden, with 10 percent tariffs starting February 1 to pressure for the purchase of Greenland. Leaders of the affected nations condemn the move as unacceptable and stress that Greenland is part of Denmark. The EU plans a unified response and discusses countermeasures.
On Saturday, Donald Trump escalated his campaign to buy Greenland by announcing 10 percent punitive tariffs against Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1. The tariffs will rise to 25 percent in June and remain until the US can purchase the island, according to Trump's post on Truth Social. He accuses the countries of supporting a military exercise on Greenland for 'unknown reasons' and warns of risks to 'the planet's survival'.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson responded swiftly: 'We will not be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors. This is an EU issue that affects many more countries than those now singled out. Sweden is now in intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway, and the United Kingdom for a joint response.'
Norway's Jonas Gahr Støre wrote: 'Threats have no place among allies.' Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the move a 'surprise' and explained that the military presence aims to enhance Arctic security. Finland's President Alexander Stubb emphasized: 'Finland assumes that issues between allies should be resolved through discussion and common rules, not pressure.' Germany's government noted the statements and is coordinating with European partners. The UK's Keir Starmer affirmed that Greenland is part of Denmark. France's Emmanuel Macron called the threats 'unacceptable.' The Netherlands' David van Weel highlighted the exercise's purpose for Arctic security.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and warned of a 'dangerous downward spiral.' Ambassadors are meeting in Brussels to coordinate a response. In the European Parliament, there are calls to pause the recently concluded trade deal with the US; Manfred Weber wrote: 'Given Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage.' Carl Bildt called it a 'crystal-clear breach of the agreement' and demanded countermeasures.
Russia recognizes Greenland as Danish territory and calls Trump's actions 'extraordinary,' according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitrij Peskov. Putin's envoy Kirill Dimitrijev mocked Europe on X. Economists like Robert Bergqvist warn of negative impacts on Swedish exports and a potential trade war, but emphasize the EU's expected solidarity. Demonstrators in Denmark and Greenland protested against Trump.
