US President Donald Trump has threatened eight European countries, including Sweden, with 10 percent tariffs starting February 1 after they sent military personnel to an exercise on Greenland. The EU is calling an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss the response, while considering retaliatory tariffs worth nearly 1,000 billion kronor.
The conflict over Greenland has escalated after Donald Trump threatened tariffs against countries participating in the Arctic Endurance exercise. Eight nations—Sweden, Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark—have sent personnel to the NATO-related activity aimed at strengthening collective security in the Arctic.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the countries are 'playing a dangerous game' and creating a threatening situation for global security. He demands that the tariffs, set to rise to 25 percent on June 1, remain until the US can purchase Greenland. Sweden sent three people for reconnaissance ahead of future exercises, according to the Armed Forces. 'We are reviewing geography, lodging, and infrastructure,' said Henrik Nyström of the Armed Forces to Aftonbladet.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described, after a call with Trump, a 'problem with understanding' why the exercise is not anti-American. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the penalties 'wrong' through a spokesperson. The eight countries issued a joint statement: 'Arctic Endurance is not a threat to anyone. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations.'
EU Council President António Costa has convened a summit on Thursday in Brussels with all 27 heads of government. Sources to Financial Times report that the EU discussed retaliatory tariffs on 93 billion euros, equivalent to nearly 1,000 billion kronor, as well as restrictions on US companies in the EU market. Discussions took place at an ambassador meeting in Brussels on Sunday.
Experts like economist Klas Eklund warn that the EU must stand united: 'The only way to make him back down is to say thus far and no further.' Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calls the situation 'very serious' and emphasizes the risk of a trade war. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has spoken with Trump about Arctic security and looks forward to a meeting in Davos.