US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of initially ten percent against Germany and seven other European countries opposing his takeover plans for Greenland. The measures are set to take effect from February and rise to 25 percent later, until a purchase agreement is reached. European leaders criticize the threat as unacceptable and are consulting on a unified response.
US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Saturday via his platform Truth Social against countries opposing his plans to take over Greenland. Affected are Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariffs start at ten percent on February 1 and rise to 25 percent from June 1, "until an agreement on the full and complete purchase of Greenland is reached," Trump wrote.
Trump justifies the measure with national security: The US has tried to acquire Greenland for 150 years, as China and Russia are interested in the resource-rich island. He criticized the deployment of European soldiers to Greenland as a "very dangerous game." Since Thursday, a NATO reconnaissance mission involving the Bundeswehr has been conducting exercises on the island to strengthen Arctic security.
Reactions in Europe are sharp. The German government noted the announcement and is coordinating with EU partners, spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said. Greens leader Katharina Dröge called for retaliatory tariffs: "It needs a clear answer to Trump." EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa warned of a "dangerous downward spiral" undermining transatlantic relations.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the threats "unacceptable" and emphasized Denmark's sovereignty. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described them as "completely wrong" and plans talks with the US. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated: "We will not be intimidated."
Economists like DIW President Marcel Fratzscher demand stronger EU cooperation with China to counter Trump. The German economy, especially the auto and export sectors, fears burdens. An EU ambassadors' crisis meeting is scheduled for Sunday. Protests against Trump's plans took place on Saturday in Denmark and Greenland.
