European leaders voiced growing alarm on Sunday over U.S. threats to impose tariffs on eight NATO allies, warning the move could destabilize transatlantic relations and heighten tensions in the Arctic.
EU ambassadors met in emergency session in Brussels on Sunday to assess possible responses, including the use of the bloc’s never-before-used Anti-Coercion Instrument, which could restrict U.S. access to public tenders or limit American service exports to the EU.
EU officials said after the meeting that no immediate decision had been taken on countermeasures, but all options remain on the table, while Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK warned of a ‘dangerous downward spiral’ if Trump pursues his ambition to take control of Greenland.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also held a call with Trump on Sunday, reiterating that NATO security in the High North is a priority and that tariffs on allies are wrong. Starmer additionally spoke with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that a 10% tariff would be imposed from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Britain. The rate would rise to 25% from June 1 unless the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
The threat has intensified diplomatic and security tensions within NATO.
A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron said he is pushing to coordinate a unified European reaction and supports activating the Anti-Coercion Instrument. However, several EU diplomats cautioned against escalating the situation too quickly.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the tariff threat as “a mistake” after speaking directly with Trump. She said she would consult other European leaders later on Sunday. Italy has not deployed troops to Greenland.
Britain’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said allies should seek dialogue rather than confrontation.
“Our position on Greenland is non-negotiable… It is in our collective interest to work together,” she told Sky News.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa warned that the tariffs risk a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic relations, stressing that Europe would remain united in defending its sovereignty.
Greenland’s government thanked European leaders for their support, with cabinet minister Naaja Nathanielsen saying the moment required “great courage.”
At Denmark’s request, France, Germany, Britain and other allies have deployed small military teams to Greenland following Trump’s tariff announcement. Trump has argued Greenland is vital to U.S. security due to its strategic location and mineral resources, and has not ruled out the use of force — comments that have alarmed European governments.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is covered by NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he would visit Oslo, London and Stockholm to strengthen coordination in the Arctic.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Europe would not allow itself to be blackmailed, while Finland’s President Alexander Stubb called for dialogue over pressure. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said NATO allies broadly agree on strengthening Arctic security.
Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Denmark and Greenland over the weekend, calling for the island to determine its own future.
Analysts warn Trump’s tariff threat could undermine recent trade understandings between the U.S., the EU and Britain, which had set baseline tariffs of 15% on EU goods and 10% on most British imports.
Trump has increasingly used tariffs as a political pressure tool, recently also threatening penalties on countries trading with Iran.
The United States maintains around 200 troops at Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 defence agreement.
Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the island is not for sale.
Some economists urged restraint. ING Research’s Carsten Brzeski said Europe should avoid reacting hastily.
“Just ignore it and wait and see,” he said. “The tariffs are already a step forward compared with the threatened military invasion.”
EU officials said after Sunday’s emergency meeting that no immediate decision on countermeasures had been taken, but stressed that all options remain on the table.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after...
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei has declared a “decisive victory” over the U.S. and Israel, signalling a &...
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to...
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part o...
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei has declared a “decisive victory” over the U.S. and Israel, signalling a “new phase” in Tehran’s control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment