European leaders criticize Trump's tariff threat over Greenland, reiterate solidarity with Denmark

​​​​​​​By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - European leaders on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump's tariff threats against eight European nations over Greenland and reiterated solidarity with Denmark.

Trump said Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland from Feb. 1, rising to 25% in June, citing "national security" concerns linked to Greenland.

Following the announcement, European leaders, including the European Council and EU Commission presidents, vowed a coordinated EU response.

The commission and council presidents said Trump's plan to apply tariffs would "undermine transatlantic relations."

"Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole," Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in separate posts on US social media company X.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Berlin would coordinate closely with European partners to respond to Trump's announcement of tariffs.

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that "no intimidation or threat" could influence Europe, reiterating Paris’ commitment to the sovereignty and independence of nations

- 'We will not let ourselves be blackmailed'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said applying tariffs on allies is "completely wrong.

"Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes," he wrote on X.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said allies will not give in to "blackmail," adding they are in discussion for a "coordinated response."

"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," he said.

For his part, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stressed that "threats have no place" among allies.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Helsinki will proceed from the premise that matters among allies are resolved through discussion and shared rules of the game, "not by creating pressure."

"Tariffs would be harmful to both Europe and the United States. They are in no one's interest," he noted on X.

In a first reaction from Denmark, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the tariff announcement "comes as a surprise," reiterating that Europe needs to do more for Arctic security.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the Netherlands is in close contact with the European Commission and partners on a response.

Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has attracted US interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources, as well as alleged concerns about rising Russian and Chinese activity.

Trump has repeatedly said that the US must acquire Greenland for national security and to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory.

Denmark and Greenland have rejected proposals to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.