US President Donald Trump has promised to impose additional 10% tariffs starting February 1 on eight European countries, including France, in response to their support for Denmark over Greenland. These tariffs could rise to 25% in June until an agreement on acquiring the island. Emmanuel Macron denounced these threats as unacceptable and vowed a united European response.
On January 17, 2026, Donald Trump announced via Truth Social the imposition of additional 10% tariffs starting February 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. These measures aim to force these countries to withdraw support for Denmark regarding Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory strategic in the Arctic. The tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1 and remain in place until an agreement allows the United States to fully acquire the island.
Trump justifies these actions on national security grounds, stating that 'world peace is at stake' and that China and Russia threaten the Arctic. He criticized NATO allies for deploying symbolic troops to the island the previous week, claiming they are playing 'a very dangerous game.' Since returning to power a year ago, Trump has eyed Greenland to counter Russian and Chinese advances, vowing to seize it 'one way or another.'
The European response was swift. Emmanuel Macron stated on X that 'tariff threats are unacceptable' and that 'Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner.' He added: 'No intimidation or threat can influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world.' Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed surprise and noted that the military reinforcement aims to enhance Arctic security. The European Union warned of a 'dangerous spiral,' while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a 'very bad thing' and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson affirmed: 'We will not be intimidated.'
This escalation could create unprecedented tensions within NATO, with the United States using economic sanctions against an ally to seize a territory attached to a partner. According to economist Ruben Nizard, these threats resemble more of a diplomatic maneuver than a pure trade war, lacking a clear economic rationale.
