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.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has moved swiftly to consolidate his authority following the dismissal of his long-time ally Kamchybek Tashiev, head of...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill too...
A man accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades appeared briefly in a Sydney court on Monday (16 February)...
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second ...
ByteDance will take steps to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property on its artificial intelligence (AI) video generator Seedance 2.0, t...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second World War international order collapsed - and if so, what will replace it?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States, according to Iranian state media.
Azerbaijan and Serbia have formally launched a Strategic Partnership Council, marking a new phase in bilateral relations and placing cooperation under direct presidential oversight.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China has the power to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that Beijing is enabling Moscow’s military campaign.
Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal in the women’s skeleton event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia’s decision to change the leadership of its delegation for upcoming peace talks in Geneva appeared to be an attempt to delay progress.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
A man accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades appeared briefly in a Sydney court on Monday (16 February), facing terrorism and murder charges over the 14 December attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second World War international order collapsed - and if so, what will replace it?
The United States has carried out its first air transport of a nuclear microreactor on a cargo plane, flying the unit from California to Utah in a demonstration designed to show the technology can be rapidly deployed for military and civilian use.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment